Untitled

THE LIBRARY 

OF 

THE UNIVERSITY 

OF CALIFORNIA 

PRESENTED BY 

PROF. CHARLES A. KOFOID AND 

MRS. PRUDENCE W. KOFOID

THE 

BOOK OF THE CAT 

CASSELL AND COMPANY, LIMITED 

LONDON, PARIS, NEW YORK AND 

MELBOURNE. MCMIII 

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 

BY ... 

FRANCES ,SIMPSON 

WITH 12 COLOURED PLATES, AND NEARLY 

350 ILLUSTRATIONS IN THE TEXT FROM 

PHOTOGRAPHS AND DRAWINGS

CHAPTER 

I. CATS OF THE PAST ... 

CONTENTS, 

S 

i 

II. CATS OF TO-DAY . . 18 

III. 

IV. 

CARE AND MANAGEMENT 

... 

. 

HOUSING OF CATS . 

. 37 

49 

......... V. EXHIBITING 

........ 

61 

VI. THE POINTS OF A CAT 96 

....... VII. LONG-HAIREI) OR PERSIAN CATS . . . , . .98 

VIII. SOME NOTABLE CATTERIES 101 

....... 

....'. IX. BLACK PERSIANS . .112 

X. WHITE PERSIANS . 118 

XI. BLUE PERSIANS ..... 

. 

PACE 

.125 

XII. SILVER OR CHINCHILLA PERSIANS . . . . . 137 

. . 178 

XIII. SILVER TABBY PERSIANS. ....... 

XIV. SMOKE PERSIANS ..... 

XV. ORANGE PERSIANS ..... 

XVI. CREAM on FAWN PERSIANS ..... 

XVII. TORTOISE-SHELL PERSIANS . 

XVIII. TORTOISESHELL-AND-WHITE PERSIANS . 

165 

.187 

.201 

212 

. . . . 2O8 

... 

231 

XIX. BROWN TABBY PERSIANS . . 2I S 

XX. 

XXL 

.... "ANY OTHER COLOUR" 

.... 

PERSIANS 

NEUTER CATS . 237 

XXII. MANX CATS . . .244 

XXIII. SIAMESE CATS . 254

iv THE 

........ 

BOOK OF THE CAT. 

CHAPTER PAGE 

XXIV. SHORT-HAIRED CATS 274 

........ ...... XXV. SHORT-HAIRED CATS (continued) 282 

XXVI. SOME FOREIGN CATS 297 

XXVII. CATS IN AMERICA . . . . . ... . 303 

325 

........ ...... XXIX. CAT PHOTOGRAPHY FOR AMATEURS 332 

XXX. REARING OF KITTENS 337 

XXVIII. MAINE CATS ......... 

. 344 

350 

THE DISEASES OF CATS, AND THEIR TREATMENT . . . .358 

XXXI. COLOUR BREEDING ..... 

..... XXXII. THE PLACE OF THE CAT IN NATURE 

.......... INDEX 377 

LIST OF COLOURED PLATES. 

BLACK PERSIAN . . . . . . . Frontispiece 

BLACK AND WHITE PERSIAN CATS .... 

To 

face t>age 116 

BLUE AND CREAM PERSIANS . . . . . . .126 

BROWN TABBY AND SILVER PERSIANS . . . . . .160 

SMOKE AND ORANGE PERSIANS . . . . . . .186 

TORTOISESHELL AND ToRTOISESHELL-AND-WHITE PERSIANS . . . 2IO 

SILVER TABBY AND ORANGE AND 'WHITE PERSIANS . . . .234 

MANX AND SIAMESE . . . . . . . .252 

BLUE AND WHITE SHORT-HAIRED CATS . . . . . .274 

BROWN TABBY AND ORANGE TABBY SHORT-HAIRED CATS . . . 288 

TORTOISESHELL TOM, AND SILVER TABBY SHORT-HAIRED CATS . 294 

FOREIGN CATS . . . . . . . . . 300

" " 

White to Move 

Mummy 

i 

of a Cat ..... i 

The God Cat 

An Egyptian Wall-Painting: The Ador- 

2 

ation of the Goddess Pasht . . 2 

The Worship of Pasht in the Temple of 

Bubastes 3 

Mummified Kitten .... 3 

A Cat God of Egypt .... 3 

Egyptian Wall- 

Puss as a Retriever : An 

Painting 

4 

An Egyptian Toy Cat .... 5 

A Mineral Lusus 

6 

Puss in Warfare ..... 7 

A Group of Cats in Pottery ... 9 

Tomb of a Cat which belonged to 

Madame de Lesdiguieres . . 10 

The Printer's Mark of Melchior Sessa 

of Venice 12 

A Cat in Heraldry 

12 

A Merchant's Mark .... 12 

Alice and the Cheshire Cat ... 13 

A Study 

14 

Madame Ronner at Work ... 15 

"Crystal," the property of Mrs. Finnic 

Young 

Lady 

16 

Alexander's " Brother Bump " 

. 17 

Sleeping Beauties 18 

Miss F. Simpson's " Bonnie . Boy" 18 

Kitten at Work and Play ... 19 

Kitten belonging to Mrs. Owen . . 20 

The Antiquaries 

21 

" 

Kepwick Violet " and " Kepwick 

Hyacinth " 

. . . . .22 

Miss Savery's Blue Persian Kitten . 23 

A Pair of Short-haired Brown Tabbies . 23 

Cat Calendar 24 

Cat Calendar 24 

Cat Calendar ..... 25 

Mr. Harrison Weir .... 26 

Mr. Louis Wain ..... 27 

Lady Marcus Beresford 

Litter of Siamese Kittens 

" 

Puck III." 

... 28 

... 29 

30 

Mrs. Clinton Locke and ber Siamese 

Kittens "Calif" and " Bangkok " . 31 

The Cat's Playground .... 32 

Royal London Institution fcr Lost and 

Starving Cats .... 33 

The Cart of the R. L. 1 34 

The Hon. Philip Wodehouse's " Silver 

Saint " 

35 

A Bevy of Blues belonging to Miss 

Savery 35 

Cats' Tombstones at the Dogs' Cemetery, 

Hyde Park .... 36 

Tabbies up a Tree, .... 37 

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. 

Blue Persian belonging to Her Majesty 

the Queen 

37 

Three Little Maids .... 39 

A Perilous Perch 4 

Mrs. Hardy's Neuter " Pharaoh " 

. 41 

" " 

The Raiders Caught ... 43 

Kittens belonging to Miss Bromley . 45 

Neuter Pets owned by Mrs. Hastings 

Lees 46 Carolling ...... 48 

In a Playful Sort of Way ... 49 

A Musical Party 

5 

The Ideal Cattery 

.... 53 

A Litter Box 55 

A Useful Cat House .... 55 

A Portable Hutch . . . 56 

Lethal Chamber, R.L.I. . . . 57 

Spratt's Travelling Basket ... 58 

A Useful Cat Basket .... 58 

* 

A Gang of Poachers . . 

59 

Waking Beauties 

61 

Richmond Cat Show : Arrangement of 

Tents 65 

' ' 

Mrs. Gregory's Skellingthorpe Patrick 

' ' 

67 

" Inquiry" 

Richmond Cat Show : Judges at Work 69 

Type of Cage at 

Show 

the Richmond Cat 

.71 

Mr. C. A. House 72 

Mr. T. B. Mason 

The Toilet 

Blue Persian Kittens 

72 

73 .... 74 

Kits with a Taste for Flowers . . 75 

Two Kittens bred by Miss Williams . 75 

Richmond Cat Show : The Ring Class 77 

Minding Shop 

Thieves 79 

Mrs. Drury's Brown Tabby " Periwig " 

80 

Miss Simpson's " Cambyses " 

. . So 

A Litter of Blues 81 

Judging in the Ring at the Crystal 

Palace 83 

Miss Kirkpatrick's Blue Kittens . . 84 

" Rose of Persia " 

. . . '85 

Mischief 

88 

Our Play-room 

89 

Mr. F. W. Western .... 91 

Officials of the N.C.C.C. ... 92 

Sandy Stealing the Milk ... 94 

Silver Cats belonging to Mrs. Clark of 

Ashbrittle .... 95 

The Points of a Cat .... 96 

Tailpiece 

97 

Blue Persians belonging to Mrs. Wells 98 

"Gentian," owned by Lady Marcus 

Beresford 

Mrs. Herring's 

99 

" Champion Jimmy " 

. 100 

67 

7 8 

PAGE 

The Hon. Mrs. McLaren Morrison's 

Cattery 

Scenes at " Bishopsgate " 

101 

. . . 

A Sleeping Box at Lady 

103 

Decies' Cattery 104 

Lady Decies Visiting her Pets . . 104 

Mrs. Mackenzie Stewart's Cattery . 105 

The Imitation Tree, Mrs. Clarke's 

Cattery 

106 

Mrs. Clarke's Cattery .... 107 

The Hon. Mrs. McLaren Morrison . 108 

Mrs. Collingwood and "James II." . A Morning 

109 

Meal at . Bossington 

Black Persian 

. in 

" " 

Johnny Fawe . 

"Champion 

.112 

Menelik III." . . .113 

Kitten Bred by Miss Kirkpatrick . . 115 

Mrs. Little's Black Persian " Colleen " 

115 

The Carol . . . Singers .116 

"Jungfrau" ...... 118 

Mrs. McLaren's White Persian 

smith " 

' ' 

Lady- 

119 

Mrs. Pettit with her White Persians . 121 

"Crystal" 

" " 

White Butterfly 

122 

" Musafer" 

. . . .123 

124 

"Jack" and "Jill" . . . .125 

The Artist 

128 

Blue Kittens bred by Miss Kirkpatrick 129 

Mrs. Robinson's Blue Kittens . . 129 

Mrs. Wells's Cattery 

"Rokeles Kissi 

. . . .130 

" 

131 

Scared 132 

Cast of the Cat Club Medal . . .133 

Miss G. Jay's Cattery . . . .134 

Rev. P. L. Cosway's " Imperial Blue" 135 

" " 

Un Saut Ptrilleux . . . .136 

"Jack Frost" . : . . .137 

"StarDuvals" 

" The Absent-Minded Beggar 

138 

" 

"Omar" 

. . 138 

139 

Three Pretty Silvers . . . " " 

Shah of Persia 

" " 

Fulmer Zaida 

. . . 

.140 

.141 

142 

' ' 

Troubadour '^ 

143 

A Perfect Chinchilla (two views) . . 145 

Mrs. Balding's " Silver Lambkin " 

. 146 

Mrs. Balding's " Flume Tod " 

. . 147 

"Sea Foam" 148 

Mrs. Wellbye's " Silver Lotus " 

. . 149 

Mrs. Wellbye's " Silver Dossie " . . 150 

Mrs. Wellbye's Silver " ' 

Veronica 

. 151 

Two Views of Woodheys Cattery . . 153 

" " 

Silver Blossom .... 154 

" Silver Blossom's " Two Buds . . 155 

"Wild Tom" 156 

" Fur and Feather " 

. . . .158 

" The Silver Lambkins " 

. . . 159 

" Jupiter Duvals " .... 161

VI THE BOOK OF THE CAT. 

" The Elder Miss Blossom " 

" " 

Dolly Daydream 

" " 

I want to go home ! 

" The Marquis of Dingley " . 

PAGE 

162 

163 

164 

'65 

Miss Leake's Summer Cattery 

166 

Silver Tabby Kittens owned by Princess 

Victoria of . Schleswig-Holstein 167 

" " 

Beautiful Duchess .... 168 

Winter Quarters at Dingley Hill . . 169 

In the Studio 171 

Miss Cope's " Starlet ". . . .172 

A Pair of Silver Tabbies . . .173 

" Thames Valley Silver King " 

. . 174 

" Roiall Fiuffball " 

. . . .177 

Mrs. Stead's Smoke Litter by " Ranji " 

178 

" " " " 

Jo and Tiny .... 178 

Miss Bartlett's Two Smoke Kittens . 179 

Cat Houses at Backwell . 181 

Mrs. James's 

Mrs. Stead's Smoke Persian "Cham- 

pion Ranji "... . 

" Champion Backwell Jogram " 

. . 182 

. . 183 

Mrs. Sinking' Smoke Persian "Teufel" 185 

"Lucy Claire" 

186 

Mrs. Singleton's " Orange Girl ". . 187 

"Puck" 188 

"Swagger" 

" 

Benjamin of the Durharns " 

188 

. . 189 

"Toirington Sunnysides" . . . 190 

"Lifeguard" 

One of Mrs. Neate's Outdoor Catteries 

191 

at Wernham 192 

"Curiosity" 

193 

199 

200 

Mrs. Neate's Cat Houses (two views) . 194 

"Musing" 197 

" Out in the Cold " .... 

" Higher Education " .... 

Mrs. Clinton Locke's Cream Kitten . 201 

A Creamy Smile . . . . . 201 

Mrs. Norris's Cream Kitten . . . 202 

" Kew Ronald" and " Kew Laddie" . 203 

Miss Beal and her Kittens . . . 204 

Mrs. D'Arcy Hildyard's Cream Kittens 204 

" Miriam of the Durhams " . . . 205 

" Champion Romaldkirk Admiral " 

. 206 

Mrs. F. Western's " Matthew of the 

Durhams" ..... 207 

" Topsy of Merevale" . . . 208 

Miss H. Cochran's Tortoisesheil " Bru- 

nette" 209 

Miss Sargent's " Topsy " 

. . . 210 

Miss Kate 

" 

gangster's Royal Yum 

Yum" 2ii 

" Peggy Primrose " 

. . . . . 212 

Miss Yeoman's " Mary II." . . . 213 

"At Home". ..... 214 

" " 

Miss Simpson's Persimmon . . 215 

" 

Sholto . .216 

Miss Mellor's " Lady 

" " 

Champion Crystal 

(American) . 217 

A Room in Brayfort Cattery . . 218 

Miss Whitney and her Neuter Brown 

Tabby 219 

"Brayfort Princess", and "Brayfort 

Fina"...... 220 

" Lonsdale Chrysalis " and " Lonsdale 

Moth" 221 

Mrs. 

" " 

D'Arcy Hildyard's Sulpherland 222 

"Pioneer Bobs" ..... 223 

"LornaDoone" 225 

" " 

Birkdale Ruffle 226 

" Birkdale Ruffiie's " 

PAC;E 

Cattery . . 227 

Brown Tabby "Goozie" . . . 229 

A Trio of Tabbies .... 230 

A Picturesque Group .... 231 

A Grotesquely-marked Kitten . . 232 

" Lockhaven Colburn " 

. . . 233 

"The Conquest of the Air " . . . 234 

"Grace before Meat" .... 235 

" 

Marcus Superbus," a Silver Smoke . 235 

" " 

Blue Robin 

236 

Miss Kirkpatrick's " Chili" . . . 237 

" KingCy "... .237 

Miss Chamberlayne's "Belvedere Tiger" 238 

" Benoni " 

239 

Miss Adamson's Chinchilla Neuter . 240 

" Nigel the Raven " .... 

241 

Madame Portier's Neuter " Blue Boy " 

242 

Rascals....... 243 

Type of Manx Kitten .... 244 

" " 

Golfsticks 245 

Specimen of a Manx . . . Tabby 246 

Orange Manx 248 

Mrs. H. C. Brooke's Manx " Katzen- 

jammer " 

" " 

Ballochmyle Bell Spitz 

249 

. . . 250 

Manx Cat . . . . . .251 

Mr. Ward's Manx " Silverwing " . . 253 

A Litter by "Tachin" .... 254 

The Garden Cattery at Bishopsgate . 255 

Mrs. Roberts Locke, with " Calif," 

"Siam," and " Bangkok " 

. . 256 

"Si" . . . . . . .257 

" " 

Tiam-o-Shian .... 257 

"It" 258 

Mr. Ratcliffe's Siamese . . 

Lady 

. 259 

Marcus Beresford's " Ursula" 

Miss Armitage's 

. 260 

" Cora " 

. . . 262 

Pair of Siamese belonging to Mrs. 

Armitage 

Mrs. Robinson's 

263 

" Ah Choo " 

. . 265 

" Champion Wankee ". . . . 265 

"Mafeking" 

The late " " 

King Kesho 

Lady Marcus Beresford's " Cambodia " 

Pugs Paying a Visit to the Siamese, 

266 

. . . 267 

268 

Mrs. Hawkins' Cattery . . . 269 

" " " " 

Romeo and . . . Juliette 

271 

A Cosy Corner 273 

" " 

Ashbrittle Peter .... 274 

" 

Ballochmyle Blue Queen ". . . 275 

Mrs. Carew Cox's Blue male " Bayard " 

276 

" 

Sherdley Michael " .... 277 

" 

Sherdley Alexis " .... 277 

"Sherdley Sacha I." and " II." . . 277 

Maria 

Mrs. Carew Cox's 

278 

" Yula " 

. . . 279 

. . 280 

Lady Alexander of Ballochmyle 

" 

Champion Ballochmyle Brother 

Bump " 

281 

Short-haired Tabby Kittens . . . 282 

Another View of Lady Decies' Cattery . 283 

Lady Decies' " Champion Xenophon" . 284 

An American Begging Cat . . . 285 

" Ebony ol Wigan " .... 286 

Sleeping and Waking Tabbies . . 287 

A Black-and-White Britisher . . 288 

" Champion Ballochmyle Otter ". . 289 

" Champion Ballochmyle Perfection " . 290 

Mrs. Barker's " Tyneside Lily " 

. . 291 

PACE 

Two Views of Briarlea Catteries . . 292 

A Corner of the Bossington Catteries . 293 

Tortoisesheil Male " Samson " 

. . 294 

Mrs. A. M. Stead's Brown . . Tabby 295 

Mrs. Collingwood's "James II." . . 295 

" Ben My Chree" .... 296 

liurmese Cat ..... 297 

Mexican Hairless Cats .... 299 

African Cat 300 

Manx and Abyssinian .... 301 

.... 303 

Geoffrey's Wild Cat .... 302 

" The Storm King" 

"Rado" 303 

The Old Fort Cattery .... 305 

Mrs. Colburn and her White Persian 

" Paris " ..... 306 

Brushwood Catterv .... 307 

Miss Johnston's " Persimmon Squirrel " 

308 

A Reception Room in aChicago Cattery 309 

Mrs. E. N. Barker . . . -311 

" Silver Hair " and " Tiptoe " 

. , 312 

Miss Ward's " Robin ". . . . 313 

Three Little Grandchildren of " Per- 

simmon"..... 314 

An American . . . Beauty 317 

"Champion Miss Detroit" . . . 318 

" " 

The Commissioner .... 319 

" " 

Ajax ...... 321 

Orchard Ridge Cattery . . . 322 

Mrs. Charles A. White . 323 

" The Blessed Damozel"... 324 

" Tobey," a Maine Trick Cat . . 325 

" Henessey" 326 

" Blue Danube " 

327 

" Leo," owned by Mrs. Martin . . 329 

" Yellow H. I4th Beauty" . . . 330 

Mrs Bagster's " Demidoff " . . . 331 

A Snapshot 332 

Amateur Photographers . . . 334 

Playing at Work 335 

In the Studio 336 

Tabitha's Afternoon Tea . . . 337 

A Happy Mother 338 

Mrs. Bonny's " Dame Fortune" . . 339 

"Derebie" 339 

A Litter of Eight belonging to Mi.ss 

Savery 341 

" Star of the Spheres" and "Son of Roy " 

342 

The Foster-Mother .... 343 

The Foster-Mother in Action . . 343 

" " 

Arrived Safely 

344 

"Patricia" 345 

Miss Goddard's Pair of Kittens 

" 

Lollypop" 

. . 346 

347 

Three Little Americans 

" " 

Holmlea Thistledown 

. 

. 

. 

. 

. 

. 

348 

349 

Brain of Cat 350 

Skull of the Great Sabre-toothed Cat . 351 

Superficial Flexor Tendons of a Cat's 

Left Foot 352 

Bones and Principal Ligaments of a 

Cat's Toe 352 

Pads of Cat's Left Forefoot . . . 352 

Skull of a Cat 353 

Skeleton of a Cat 351 

Skeleton of a Cat 

A Cat's Eye 

355 

3S6 Tongue of a Cat 357 

Giving Medicine 358

FANCIERS 

INTRODUCTION. 

have long felt the want of a work dealing in a popular manner 

with cats, and it was therefore with great pleasure that I undertook to 

write THE BOOK OF THE CAT, and to give the results of a long ex- 

perience in as simple and interesting a form as possible, 

so that the book 

might be instructive to cat fanciers, and also readable to that portion of the 

community which loves cats for themselves and not only for their prizes and 

pedigrees. It is possible that the beautiful reproductions in this work may 

result in the conversion of some cat haters, who, seeing the error of their ways, 

may give poor puss a corner in their hearts. Dogs are more essentially the 

friends of men, and cats may be considered as the chosen allies of womankind. 

In the past, as I have endeavoured to show, many noted celebrities of the 

sterner sex have shown a sympathetic feeling for the feline race. At the present 

time the number of men fanciers on our cat club lists and exhibitors at our 

shows tends to prove that the cat is gradually creeping into the affections of 

mankind, even in this busy work-a-day world. I have given a full description 

of the various breeds, and have suggested advice as to the feeding, housing, 

and general treatment of cats. The chapters on the management of shows, 

containing also simple rules for the guidance of exhibitors, will, I trust, prove 

useful and instructive. 

In my work I have received most valuable assistance, for which I am deeply 

grateful, from Mr. H. Gray, the well-known veterinary surgeon, whose chapter 

on the diseases of cats will, I am sure, be very interesting to breeders and 

fanciers. To Mr. H. C. Brooke I must tender my 

sincere v thanks for his 

chapter on foreign cats, and to Mr. E. N. Barker for his excellent survey of 

the American cat fancy, and to Mrs. Pierce for her notes on Maine cats. Mr. 

Robert Holding's chapter on the anatomy of the cat, with its excellent diagrams, 

forms a valuable addition to the work. To Mrs. S. F. Clarke I am greatly 

indebted for the number of clever photographs with which she has so kindly 

supplied me. 

To many of my " catty " friends I offer grateful thanks for interesting items, 

paragraphs, and pretty photographs ; and last, but not least, I have to thank

viii THE BOOK OF THE CAT. 

and I feel I cannot 

that veteran, Harrison Weir, for his kindly encouragement, 

do better than quote from his letter, received on the completion of my work- 

enclosing a few remarks for my preface : 

" 

Miss Frances Simpson has kindly dedicated her labour of love, the fascinating 

BOOK OF THE CAT, to me, and truly the honour is great. Words cannot 

convey my feelings, but out of its fulness the heart speaketh Thanks ! I 

carry my mind back to the long, long ago, when the cat was a god or ideal, 

and worshipped. Then later, 

' 

our gentle 

' 

Will called it 

' 

the harmless, 

necessary cat,' and that it has ever been, and more than that to many. It 

is a lonely home without a cat ; and for awhile and I hope for long cats are 

the fashion. Thirty years ago it was apparent 

to me that cats were not valued 

at their true worth, and then I suggested a show of cats! Let anyone try to 

start anything new, though novelty is said to charm ! Many 

jokes, and jeers that were thrown at me then. But nothing 

were the gibes, 

succeeds like 

success. Now, if I may without offence say a few words as to present-day 

shows, it is that they have not answered my expectations. ? Why Because 

particular breeds are catered for and run after. Why such breathless talk all 

about long-haired cats, be they blues or silvers ? This is not cat breeding. 

I want, I wish, and, if I live, I hope 

cat ' 

to see far more of the ' 

harmless, necessary 

at our shows ; for a high-class short-haired cat is one of the most perfect 

animals ever created. 

" Far more I might, and perhaps am expected to add ; but my 

well-nigh done. He who fights honourably the good fight 

life's work is 

sinks at last. Miss 

Frances Simpson has rendered me her debtor ; and others, beside myself, will 

tender her grateful thanks for her work in the cause of the cat and for the 

" 

welfare of the fancy. Adieu ! 

Mr. Harrison Weir's words are precious to me, and now that my " labour 

of love " is ended I can only re-echo his wish and express a hope that the 

many pages I have devoted to the " harmless, necessary 

friendship I have enjoyed all the years of my life, may 

cat," whose fireside 

awaken and arouse a 

greater interest in and admiration for these gentle, complex creatures, who in return 

for a little understanding will give a great deal of love. 

FRANCES SIMPSON. 

KENSINGTON, 

August, 1903.

' WHITE 

TO MOVE. 

ihoto: Mrs.,S.f. Uarke 

THE BOOK OF THE CAT. 

origin of the cat has 

J_ puzzled the learned, and 

the stock from whence it 

sprang is still, in the opinion of 

some, a mystery for the zoologist 

to solve. 

Historians tell us that the 

feline race came into existence 

about the same time as the horse. 

Reference is made to the cat in 

Sanskrit writings over 2,000 years 

old, and still earlier records are 

found in the monumental figures, 

inscriptions, and cat mummies 

of ancient Egypt. These care- 

fully-preserved relics of the past 

MUMMY OF A 

CAT. 

assist us in answering the question 

as to how this least tameable 

(At the British 

of animals became domesticated. 

Afuseittii. ) 

There are many legends con- 

cerning Puss and the manner in which she first 

sprang into existence. A surprising account of 

CHAPTER I. 

CATS OF THE PAST. 

the cat's creation is found in the works of an 

Arabian naturalist. It is as follows : "When 

Noah made a couple of each kind of animal 

enter the Ark, his companions, as well as the 

members of his family, said to him, ' 

What 

security can there be for us and for the animals 

so long as the lion shall dwell with us in the 

same vessel ? ' 

The patriarch betook himself 

to prayer and entreated the Lord God. Imme- 

diately fever came down from Heaven and 

seized upon the king of beasts, so that tran- 

quility of mind was restored to the inhabitants 

of the Ark. But there was in the vessel an 

enemy no less harmful this was the mouse. 

The companions of Noah called his attention 

to the fact that it would be impossible for them 

to preserve their provisions and their clothes 

intact. After the patriarch had addressed renewed 

supplications to the Most High, the lion 

sneezed, and a cat ran out of his nostrils. From 

that time forth the mouse became so timid that 

it contracted the habit of hiding itself in holes."

So runs the legend, and in an old Italian 

picture representing the departure from the 

Ark we may observe a big brindled cat leading 

the procession of animals with an air of 

dignity and self-satisfaction. According to 

the Arabic scholar 

Damirei, there was no 

THE GOD CAT. 

(/''rani an old Wood-cut.} 


cat in the Garden of 

Eden. It is a singular 

fact that nowhere in the 

canonical books of the 

Old Testament nor in 

the New Testament is 

the cat mentioned, and 

if we take into consideration 

the number 

of books connected 

with the life, manners, 

customs, and religions 

of the Egyptians, this 

omission is the more 

striking. The only 

Biblical reference to 

cats occurs in the Book of Baruch, chap, vi., 

v. 22. This is a letter by Jeremy to the Chil- 

dren of Israel, who were taken captive by 

Nebuchadnezzar to Babylon. Some Hebrew 

scholars have asserted that the animals that 

prowled and cried among the ruins of Babylon 

were jackals, and not cats. 

But however much the origin of the feline 

tribe is wrapped in mystery, we are certain 

that more than 3,000 years ago the cat lived 

and was loved along the banks of the Nile. 

The ancient city of the Pharaohs paid her 

homage ; 

she was admitted into the ranks 

of sacred animals, she was worshipped in the 

temples. Jewels were placed in her ears and 

necklaces about her neck. Figures of cats 

were kept in the home and buried in the tomb. 

Trinkets representing both the goddess and 

the cat were worn upon the person, to indicate 

special devotion on the part of the wearer. 

There seems but little doubt that the ancient 

and well-beloved cat of the Egyptians was 

a barred or marked animal, answering to some 

extent to our homely tabby. Paintings and 

statuettes of this type frequently occur, and 

therefore we may it take for granted 

that the 

Egyptians, who were so realistic and true to 

Nature when dealing with the animal world, 

would have presented cats of other species had 

they existed. 

According to the historian, animal worship 

was first introduced into Egypt by Chores, the 

second king of the Second Dynasty. 

The Egyptians made gods of many living 

creatures of all kinds, amongst others the 

bull, the crocodile, the ibis, the hawk, the 

beetle, and the asp ; but the cat appears to 

have held the highest place in their hearts. 

Not only was it preserved from injury, 

beloved and venerated during life, but at 

its death it was buried with all respect, 

and everyone mourned for it with outward 

and visible signs of grief, even to 

the extent of shaving off their eyebrows. 

The Egyptian's idea of a correct burial 

involved mummification, so that all the parts 

might be preserved and thus kept from 

annihilation against the day of resurrection. 

A rich man's cat was very elaborately 

mummified. Different coloured stuffs were 

AN EGYPTIAN WALL-PAINTING : THE ADORATION 

OF THE GODDESS PASHT. 

(.British Museum.)

twisted round and round the 

body, forming curious patterns 

in two colours. The head 

would be carefully encased and 

sometimes gilded ; the ears 

were always standing upright. 

These curious mummies look 

something like bottles of rare 

wine done up in plaited straw. 

Sometimes the mummy would 

be enclosed in a bronze box 

with a statue of a cat seated 

on the top. Mummies of cats 

with painted faces have been 

found in wooden coffins at 

Bubastes, Specs, Artemidos, Thebes, and 

elsewhere. Here is an illustration of a kitten 

brought to me from the Boulak Museum. 

The picture gives but little idea of the care 

and neatness which must have been employed 

in wrapping up the dear little dead 

bodies. The linen used is of the finest. The 

ears of the tiny kitten are each separate and 

distinct, and the muzzle of the creature shows 

distinctly through the delicate wrappings. 

Scarcely a good museum in the country now 

that has not some specimens of cat mummies. 

In some of these we notice that eyes have 

MUMMIFIED KITTEN. 

(hi the poisession of 

Miss Simpson.) 

CATS Of THE PAST. 

been added after the 

mummy 

has been encased 

and the embalmment 

completed. Most 

of the cats that died in 

the far-away time were 

thus embalmed and 

sent for burial to the 

holy city of Bubastes, 

near Thebes, on the 

banks of the Nile. 

The Temple of Bu- 

bastes, according to 

Herodotus, was the fairest 

in all Egypt, and 

here special reverence 

was paid the cat. The 

local goddess of this 

city was Pasht, who was 

represented as a woman 

THE WORSHIP OF PASHT IX THE TEMPLE OF BUBASTES. 

(British Mjtscitm.) 

with a cat's head. Cats were kept in the temples 

sacred to them, and doubtless the head cat of 

the Pasht's temple was a very splendid specimen, 

who, living the life of great luxury, would 

be buried with the pomp and magnificence 

of a royal personage. 

It was at Bubastes, 

on the banks of the 

Nile, that an annual 

festival in honour of 

the goddess Pasht was 

held. We are not told 

whether the cats took 

any part in the proceedings. 

From the towns 

and villages within hail, 

pleasure parties were 

sent in boats up and 

down the river to the 

city, and on their passage 

the men and women 

who crowded these 

boats made merry all 

the long summer day. V A CAT GOD OF EGYPT . 

The WOmen Clashed (From Hit British Museum.) 

their cymbals and 

danced, and the men played on their flutes. 

Seventy thousand people, it is said, assembled 

at this feast, and they sacrificed victims and 

drank a good deal of wine. Perhaps the cats 

were treated to an extra dish of some dainty 

to mark this red-letter day in the annals of 

their patroness and goddess.

A curious custom, which probably had its 

origin in these pilgrimages to the sacred shrine. 

had until recent years survived amongst the 

Egyptian Moslems, who when they were start- 

ing on their way to Mecca always set apart 

one camel for the conveyance of several cats, 

and some ancient dame was told off to take 


Beni Hasan, one hundred miles from Cairo. 

A few years ago some excavations were made 

near this town, and thousands of little mummied 

bodies were found that had rested peacefully 

for centuries. Their graves were desecrated, 

their burying-ground plundered, and tons and 

tons of mummied forms were carted 'away to 

PUSS AS A RETRIEVER : AN EGYPTIAN WALL PAINTING. 

charge of the precious animals. She was 

honoured with the title of " Mother of Cats." 

Her office was not an enviable one, and prob- 

it was found that a woman was unable 

ably 

to wrestle satisfactorily with the refractory 

travellers, for at a later date a man was 

substituted to carry the pussies to the 

Holy City. 

Thebes appears to have been a favourite 

burying-place for cats, and also a place called 

(At tilt British Museum.) 

the neighbouring fields to serve the useful, 

of manure Accord- 

if not romantic, purpose ! 

ing to Horopollo, the cat was worshipped in 

the temple of Heliopolis, because the size of the 

pupil of the animal's eye is regulated by 

the rising and waning of the sun. Plutarch, 

however, states in his treatise on " Isis and 

Osiris " that the image of a female cat was 

placed at the top of the sistrum as an emblem 

" 

This," says the historian, 

of the moon.

" was on account of the variety of her fur, 

and because she is astir at night ; and further- 

more, because she bears firstly one kitten at 

a birth, and at the second two, at the third 

three, and then four, and then five, until the 

seventh time, so that she bears in all twentyeight, 

as many as the moon has days. Now 

this, perchance, is fabulous, but 'tis most true 

that her eyes do enlarge and grow 


full at the 

full moon, and that on the contrary they 

contract and diminish at the decline of the 

same." 

Among 

other fables of classic naturalists 

and historians may be mentioned the follow- 

" 

ing by Herodotus : If a fire occurs, cats are 

subject to supernatural impulses ; and while 

the Egyptians ranged in lines with gaps between 

them, are much more solicitous to save their 

cats than to extinguish the fire, these animals 

slip through the empty spaces, spring over the 

men's shoulders, and fling themselves into the 

flames. When such accidents happen, pro- 

found ,grief falls upon the Egyptians." 

Whether these frenzied cats did or did 

not commit suicide is open to doubt, but that 

they would plunge fearlessly into water is an 

acknowledged fact. This is attested by paint- 

ings representing sporting scenes in the valley 

of the Nile. Men and women used to go out 

on fowling excursions in a boat to the jungles 

and thickets of the marsh land, or to lakes in 

their own grounds, which abounded with wild 

fowl, and there among the tall reeds knock 

down the bird with a stick. Into these happy 

hunting grounds they took a cat who would 

jump into the water and retrieve the game 

as it fell. There is a painting taken and 

AN EGYPTIAN TOY CAT. 

(At the British Museum.) 

brought from a tomb in Thebes, which is now 

in the British Museum, and Wilkinson, in his 

" Manners and Customs of Ancient Egyptians," 

writes as follows : "A favourite cat sometimes 

accompanied the Egyptian sportsmen on these 

occasions, and the artist intends to show us, 

by the exactness with which he represents 

the animal seizing the game, that cats were 

trained to hunt and carry the water-fowl." 

One of the earliest representations of the 

cat is "to-be-found in the Necropolis of Thebes, 

which contains the tomb of Hana, who probably 

belonged to the Eleventh Dynasty. There 

is a statue of the king standing erect, with his 

cat Bouhaki between his feet. The large 

basalt statues, of which there are so many in 

the British Museum, both seated and stand- 

ing, are examples of great interest. They 

have mostly the disc of lunar divinity above 

their heads and the royal asp above the 

forehead. 

M. Champfleury, in his delightful book, 

" 

Les Chats," gives a good deal of information 

regarding the cats of ancient Egypt, and mentions 

the existence 

women which bear 

of 

the 

funerary statues of 

inscription Techau, 

the cat, in token of the patronage of the goddess 

Bast. Frenchmen occasionally call their 

wives ma chattc without attaching any hier- 

atic association to that term of endearment. 

According to ancient documents in the 

Louvre, we are enabled to surmise the name 

by which the cat was known in Egypt. 

Mau-Mai', Maau, or Maon. A tablet 

It was 

in the 

Berlin Museum, bearing the representation 

of a cat, dates from 1600 B.C., and another, 

two hundred years older, has an inscription 

in which the word " Mau " appears. 

Amongst old Egyptian images in bronze 

and earthenware, we may often find the cat 

crouching with the symbolic eye, emblem of 

the sun, engraved upon its collar. In the 

British Museum there is a curious example of 

a toy in the shape of a wooden cat with inlaid 

glass eyes and a movable lower jaw well lined 

with teeth. 

There is a tradition that Cambyses devised 

a scheme for the capture of the town of Peluse,


which, if true, is one example among many things and domestic animals belonging to 

of the devotion of the Egyptians to cats. It children were buried with them, 

was in the fourteenth year of his reign that From some of the oldest Indian fables we 

this king of Persia tried to effect an entry into learn that the cat was domesticated in that 

Egypt, and he is said to have hit upon a clever country at a very early period. Her first 

strategy. Knowing that the garrison of the appearance into China would seem to have 

town was entirely comprised of Egyptians, he been about 400 A.D. There is a curious 

put at the head of his army soldiers each carrying 

ancient Chinese saying to the effect that 

in their arms a cat. The Egyptians, 

" A lame cat is better than a swift horse 

alarmed lest they might injure the sacred 

animals when destroying their enemies, conwhen 

rats infest a palace." 

Amongst the curious freaks in the natural 

sented rather to be vanquished. But for world are mineral lusus. These are stones, 

their scruples they might perhaps have agates, or marbles, which, by the action of 

repulsed the invaders, for the Persian soldiers the soil, air, or water during thousands of 

could not well have done their 

share of the fighting while clasping 

in their arms restless and 

terrified cats ! 

It is strange that the cat 

was almost neglected by the 

Greeks and Romans. It is true 

that Grecian art working on 

such grand sweeping lines might 

fail to follow the insignificant 

yet graceful curves of the cat. 

Therefore no Greek monument 

is adorned with a figure of 

A MINERAL I.USUS. 

(FrotH aft old Engraving) 

years, 

have assumed various 

forms, which we may interpret 

to represent human heads, trees, 

animals, and so forth. This 

illustration of a mineral lusus 

is taken on a reduced scale 

from a book by Aldrovandus, 

an Italian naturalist of the 

seventeenth century. The figure 

of the cat occurs, he says, in a 

slab of marble. It was also re- 

produced by Athanasius Kircher, 

the Jesuit, who copied many of 

the idol of Egypt, and Homer never gives a Aldrovandus's engravings, 

passing mention of the cat. Among the I think the most casual observer would 

Greeks the cat was sacred to the goddess pronounce this illustration to be the repre- 

Diana. Mythologists pretend that Diana sentation of a cat ; and if, as we are led to 

created the cat in order to throw ridicule upon believe, this and other figures are really the 

the lion, an animal supposed to have been result of natural causes, we can only marvel 

called into existence by Apollo with the in- at the wonderful correctness of outline and 

tention of frightening his sister. This he form in which through countless ages the 

followed up by producing a mouse, which substances comprising the specimen have 

Hecate's cat immediately ate up. A cat was arranged themselves. 

often emblazoned on the shields and flags of We have no record that the cat became 

Roman soldiers. That the cat was known at domesticated in Great Britain and France 

an early period in Italy we have proof in before the ninth century, when it would 

the curious mosaic in the Museum at Naples, seem that she was by no means common, and 

which depicts one pouncing upon a bird, considered of great value ; for in the time of 

The date of this has been fixed at about one one of the old Princes of Wales, who died in 

hundred years prior to the Christian era. In 948, the price of a kitten before it could see 

the Bordeaux Museum there is a tomb of the was fixed at a penny, after it had captured a 

Gello-Roman period with a representation of mouse, twopence ; and if it gave further 

a girl holding a cat in her arms and with a proofs of its usefulness it was rated at fourcock 

at her feet. In those days the play- pence. This same prince, Howel the Good,

issued an order that anyone who stole or killed 

a cat that guarded the prince's granary was 

to forfeit a milch ewe, its fleece, and lamb, or 

as much wheat as when poured on the cat 

suspended by its tail (the head touching the 

floor) would form a heap high enough to cover 

the top of the tail. 

This is not only curious, as being an evi- 

dence of the simplicity of ancient customs, 

but it goes far to prove that cats were not 

aborigines of these islands. The large price 

set on them if we consider the high value of 

specie at that time 

- and the great 

care taken of the 

improvement and 

breed of an animal 

that multiplies so 

quickly, are almost 

certain proofs of 

their being little 

known at that period. 

No doubt wild 

cats abounded in 

our islands, and this 

creature is described 

by Pennant as being 

three or four 

times as large as 

the house cat. The 

teeth and claws are, 

to use his expres- 

sion, " tremendous," and the animal is alto- 

gether more robust. The tail of the wild cat is 

thick and as large at the extremity as it is in the 

centre and at the base ; 


that of the house cat 

tapers to the tip. This ferocious creature, 

well named the British tiger, was formerly 

common enough in the wooded and mountainous 

districts of England, Scotland, and 

Wales, but owing to the attention paid 

to the preservation of game it has gradually 

become almost if not entirely exterminated. 

In olden times, when wild cats were hunted 

and captured, the principal use they were put 

to was to trim with their fur the garments of 

the ladies in the various nunneries scattered 

over the land. A writer of the Middle Ages 

PUSS IN WARFARE (vide p. 8). 

(From a ittfi Century MS.) 

says : 

" 

The peasants wore cat skins, badger 

skins, &c." It would appear that lambs' ana 

cats' skins were of equal value at that period. 

Harrison Weir, in his work on cats, tells 

us that in 1871 and 1872 a wild cat was ex- 

hibited at the Crystal Palace by 

the Earl of 

Hopetoun ; he also mentions that as late as 

1889 Mr. Edward Hamilton, M.D., writing to 

the Field, gives information of a wild cat being 

" A fine 

shot at Inverness-shire. He states : 

specimen- of a wild cat was sent to me on 

May 3rd, trapped on the Ben Nevis range. Its 

dimensions were : 

"from nose to base 

of tail, i foot; height 

at shoulders, i foot 

2 inches." In July, 

1900, a paragraph 

to the following ef- 

fect appeared in the 

Stock- Keeper : 

" 

The Zoological 

Society have just acquired 

a litter of wild 

cats. This is the only 

instance where a 

whole litter has been 

sent to the Gardens. 

It was taken not far 

from Spean Bridge, 

Inverness-shire." 

The late Professor Rolleston, in an article 

" 

on the Domestic Cats of Ancient and 

Modern Times " 

(Journal of Anatomy and 

Physiology), has well explained much of the 

confusion about cats in former writers and 

their so-called interpreters. 

loosely now, as long ago, 

He shows how 

the word " cat " 

and its classic equivalents may be employed. 

Just as we still speak of civet cats and 

martens. Up to the beginning of this 

century the wild cat was wrongly thought 

to be the original of the tame species. Yet 

apart 

from more exact evidence this is shown 

to be an error if we note the value set upon 

domestic cats in former centuries. The Rev. 

" 

Dr. Fleming, in his History of British

Animals" (1828), points out some of the 

distinctions between the two species. He 

also alludes to the spotted variety, termed 

the Cypress Cat, as noticed by Menet, who 

wrote the earliest book on British Natural 

History in 1667. 

" It is a curious fact," says Mr. J. 


E. Her- 

ting, an eminent naturalist, " that in Ireland, 

notwithstanding reports to the contrary, all 

endeavours to find a genuine wild cat have 

failed, the so-called ' 

wild cat ' 

proving 

ent animal." 

to be the ' 

of the natives 

marten cat,' a very differ- 

In the early Middle Ages, according to 

tradition, cats were utilised in a strange manner. 

The illustration on p. 7 depicts a German 

fortress which it was desired by the enemy to 

set on fire. Not being able, one may suppose, 

to effect this by treachery, the foes pressed 

into their service both biped and quadruped. 

On the back of the pigeon and cat alike, a 

flask of inflammable matter is attached, and 

furnished with a time fuse to ignite at the 

moment. There is a broad road for 

proper 

the cat to travel, and we must presume that 

the gate of the fortress was left open for her 

entrance. The pigeon would be supposed 

to cut the cord of the flask with her beak 

when just over the magazine and let it drop 

at an auspicious moment. This cut is reduced 

from a coloured drawing in an unpublished 

manuscript volume dated 1575, 

great variety of illustrations of fireworks for 

war and recreation. 

in which is a 

It is strange that the cat, which was an 

object of worship and adoration to the Egyptians, 

should, during the long, dark years of 

mediaeval history, be looked upon as a diabolical 

creature. The only pleasant legend handed 

down to us from the r "Middle Ages is that of 

" Dick Whittington and his Cat." There are 

records to show that this worthy citizen was 

thrice Lord Mayor of London, and we have 

been led to believe that it was to his 

always 

cat he owed his wealth and prosperity. At 

all events, so long as London is London, 

Whittington will 

cat. 

ever be associated with his 

Innumerable are the legends that gather 

round the cat during the Middle Ages. It 

was believed that the devil borrowed the coat 

of a black cat when he wished to torment his 

victims. Sorcerers pretended to cure epilepsy 

by the help of three drops of blood taken from 

the vein under a cat's tail. At numerous trials 

for witchcraft, puss figured as the wicked associate 

of the accused. Cats were offered by 

sorcerers as oblations to Satan, and they were 

flung into the fire at the Festival of St. John. 

All praise to Louis XIII., who as the Dauphin 

interceded for the lives, of these poor pussies 

thus annually sacrificed. It was thought to 

bring good luck to a house if a cat were cooked 

alive in a brick oven, and in Scotland she was 

roasted before a slow fire as a means of divin- 

ing the future. 

The mania of witchcraft had pervaded all 

ranks, even the holy profession, whose duty 

it should be to preach peace and goodwill. 

Hundreds of wretched old women were sent 

out of life " in a red gown " (the slang of that 

day for being burnt " quick " or alive), after 

undergoing the most excruciating tortures to 

make them confess the impossibilities for which 

they suffered. 

In 1591, when King James of Scotland was 

crossing from Denmark, a great tempest arose 

at sea. This was supposed to have been 

caused by a " christened cat " being placed 

in the vessel by witches. The following is an 

" 

extract from an old : 

pamphlet Againe it is 

confessed that the said christened cat was the 

cause that the Kings Majestie's shippe had 

a contrarie wind to the rest of the shippes in 

his companie, for when the rest of the shippes 

had a fair and good winde, then was the winde 

contrarie and altogether against his Majestie." 

Thus, in the past as in the present day, blame 

was laid upon the poor harmless puss, where 

no blame was due. 

In an old book called " 

Twenty Lookes 

over all the Roundheads of the World," pub- 

lished in 1643, we read : 

" In the Reigne of Oueene Mary (at which time 

Popery was much exalted) then were the Roundheads 

(namely, the monks and friars) so odious

1 

'i

10 THE BOOK OF THE CAT. 

to the people, that in derision of them a cat was 

taken on a Sabbath day, with her head shorne 

as a Fryer's and the likenesse of a vestment cast 

over her, with her feet tied together, and a round 

piece of paper like a singing Celse between them ; 

and thus was she hanged in a gallows in Cheapside, 

neere to the Crosse, in the Parish of St. 

Matthew. Which cat, being taken down, was 

sent to Doctor Pendleton (who was then preaching 

at St. Paul's Cross), commanding it to be shown 

to the congregation. The Round-head Fryers 

cannot abide to heare of this cat." 

At the coronation of Eliza- 

beth there is an account 

given, 

in the Hatton corre- 

spondence, of an effigy of the 

Pope being carried through 

the streets and afterwards 

burnt with several live cats, 

which, we are told, '' 

squalled 

in a most hideous manner " 

as soon as they felt the fire. 

After a famous French 

trial in the seventeenth cen- 

tury, a woman condemned as 

a murderess was hung in an 

iron cage over a slow fire, and 

fourteen poor unoffending cats 

were made to share the same 

fate. It is difficult to con- 

ceive by what train of thought 

civilised beings could arrive 

at such a pitch of wicked and 

horrible cruelty. Why should 

a gentle, shrinking, graceful little creature be 

thus made the savage sport of devils in human 

form ? 

There seems, however, to have been one 

haven of rest for poor persecuted pussy during 

the Middle Ages, and that was in the nunneries. 

Here, at least, she would be kindly treated, 

let us hope. It is said that this fact has 

something 

to do with the cat's traditional 

association with old maids. 

And now let us quit this dark page of his- 

tory, where the shameful treatment of an innocent 

race makes the lover of the poor pussies 

sorrowful and indignant. It was in France 

TOMB OF A CAT WHICH BELONGED 

TO MADAME DE LESDIGUIERES. 

that, after the period when the cat was given 

over to the ways of the witch and the sorcerer, 

we find her yet again taking her proper place 

in the home and the heart of the highest in the 

land. Writers of natural history and others 

frequently denounce the cat as an animal in- 

capable of personal attachment, yet puss has 

wooed and won the friendship and affection of 

many notable men. 

Cats, the most politic, the most polite, and 

in proportion to their size the 

most powerful of beasts real- 

ising almost literally Napoleon's 

favourite maxim, " Iron 

hand in velvet glove " 

have 

the permanent fame of being 

loved by that most eminent 

of Frenchmen, Cardinal Richelieu, 

who delighted to watch 

the frolics of a number of kit- 

tens by which he was generally 

surrounded in his leisure 

hours. In this tendrcsse he- 

resembled a still more famous 

Churchman ! A cat went to 

sleep once, we are told, on the 

sleeve of Mahomet's robe. 

The hour of prayer arrived, 

and he chose rather to cut 

away his sleeve than to disturb 

the slumbers of his be- 

loved Muezza. 

Chateaubriand makes fre- 

mention of the cat in 

quent 

his " Memoires." He received a present of 

a cat from the Pope. Moncrieff wrote a 

series of quaintly worded letters on cats, 

and the book has some curious illustra- 

tions. In this we read of the pussies of many 

grand dames of the French Court of that day. 

We give an illustration taken from this book, 

which represents the tomb of a cat which belonged 

to Madame Lesdiguieres, and bears this 

inscription : 

UNE CHATTE JOLIE. 

Sa maitresse qui n'aima rien 

, L'aima jusques a la folie. 

Pourquoi 

le dire ? On le voit bien.

Moncrieff had to suffer an immense amount 

of ridicule on account of his charming " Lettres 

sur les Chats," which the author himself calls "a 

gravely frivolous book." Victor Hugo had a 

" 

favourite cat ho called Chanome," and 

Gautier's cat slept in his bed, and always kept 

him company at meals. Petrarch loved his 

cat as he loved his Laura. Dr. Johnson u^>ed 

to indulge his cat Hodge with oyster^ which 

he would go out himself to purchase. Chesteifield 

provided for his cat in his will. Sir Walter 

Scott's love of dogs did not prevent him de- 

lighting in the company of a " conversable 

cat," and Hunse, of Hunsefield, seems to have 

possessed a large share of the great man's 

affection, and when he died his master wrote 

thus to Richardson : 

" Alack-a-day ! my 

poor cat, Hime, my acquaintance, and in some 

sort my friend of fifteen years, was snapped at 

even by that paynim, Nimrod. What could I 

say to him, but what Brantome said to some 

ferraillcur who had been too successful in a 

duel : 'Ah, mon grand ami, vous avez 

tue mon autre grand ami.' " Amongst famous 

French novelists several have been cat lovers, 

especially Dumas, who in his " Memoires" makes 

notable mention of " Le Docteur." Cowper, 

Shelley, Wordsworth, Swinburne, and Matthew 

Arnold all wrote lovingly of cats. But Shake- 

speare, although he makes forty-four distinct 

mentions of 

poor pussy. 

cats, never has a good word for 

In " All's Well that Ends Well " 

he gives vent to his dislike. Bertram rages 

forth : 

" I could endure anything before me but a cat, 

and now he's cat to me." 

In " Cymbeline " occurs this passage : 

CATS OF THE PAST ii 

" In 

killing creatures vile as cats and dogs " ; and 

in " Midsummer Night's Dream " Lysander is 

made to exclaim : 

" Hang off, thou cat, thou 

burr, thou vile thing." 

Romeo cries out : 

" Every cat and dog 

And little mouse, every unworthy thing." 

From these quotations alone we may infer 

that, at any rate, dogs and cats were not favour- 

ites with the great bard. There is only one 

mention of cats in Dante. He compares to 

cats the demons who, with their hooks, claw the 

"barterers" (i.e. abusers of their office as magistrates), 

when these sinners try to emerge from 

the hot pitch wherein they are punished. He 

" 

Tra male gatte 

says of one of these wretches : 

era venuto il sorco." (Inf. XXII., 58.) Translation: 

came." 

"Among wicked cats the mouse 

In the " Westlosthcher Divan " of Goethe, 

written in his old age, but full of youthful spirit 

and of the freshest allusions to Eastern things, 

the cat is called one of the four " favoured 

beasts/' i.e. animals in a state of grace, admitted 

into Paradise, in a verse very near the end 

of the poem, which being literally translated, 

reads thua : 

" This cat of Abuherriras " (a friend of 

the prophet Mahomet) ''purrs 

about the 

Lord, and coaxes. Since he is ever a holy 

beast whom the Prophet stroked." 

Robert Listen, who, as everyone knows, 

was the leading London surgeon in the middle 

of the nineteenth century, was passionately 

attached to his cat, and used to introduce 

it to his guests at the dinner parties 

which, according to the custom of a generation, 

past 

he gave his medical friends. On 

these occasions the cat would gravely walk 

round the dinner table during dessert to be 

admired by the guests in succession, and it 

once happened that the top of its tail got into 

the wineglass of Dr. Anthony Todd Thoruson, 

Listen's famous colleague at University College 

Hospital. This man promptly struck the 

animal. Listen was so enraged that he started 

from his seat and denounced his guest in lan- 

guage more forcible than elegant. 

Jeremy Bentham, who introduced by their 

names to Lord Brougham the cats seated on 

chairs round his table, deserves honour, not 

only as the foremost of modern jurists but 

also because, in his " Principles of Morals and 

Legislation," he had expressed better than 

others the claims of brutes to kind treatment. 

The great scholar and eminent writer, St. 

George Mivart, has given the world a wonder-


fully comprehensive work on the Cat, and has 

used the maligned feline as his type for an in- 

troduction to the study of back-boned animals. 

" 

It is he who remarks : We cannot, without 

becoming cats, perfectly 

mind." 

understand the cat 

Perhaps the unkindest picture given 

to us 

of a cat is from the pen of the naturalist 

" " 

Buffon. The cat (says this unsympathetic 

student) " is an unfaithful animal, kept only 

from necessity in order to suppress a less 

domestic and more unpleasant one, and 

THE CAT IN HERALDRY. 

(From Frank's Collection ofBook Plates.) 

although these animals are pretty creatures, 

especially when they are young, they have a 

treacherous and perverse disposition, which 

increases with age, and is only disguised by 

training. They are inveterate thieves ; only 

when they are well brought up they become as 

cunning and flattering as human rascals." 

Chateaubriand, referring to these scathing 

" 

remarks, says: Buffon has belied this animal. 

I am labouring at her rehabilitation, and hope 

to make her appear a tolerably good sort of 

beast." 

A charming reference to the ways of cats 

occurs in a curious and interesting book by a 

THE PRINTER'S MARK OF MELCHIOR SESSA, 

OF VENICE. 

(From a Print at the British Museum.) 

once famous Jesuit, Father Bougeant, who 

lived in the first half of the eighteenth century. 

There is an English translation of this work, 

which has passed also into other languages and 

several editions. This is the passage trans- 

lated : 

" Such is one of those big-whiskered and well- 

furred torn cats, that you see quiet in a corner, 

digesting at his leisure, sleeping if it seems good 

to him, sometimes giving himself the pleasure of 

hunting, for the rest enjoying life peaceably, 

without being troubled by the events which agitate 

us, without tiring his mind by a thousand useless 

reflections, and little caring to communicate 

his thoughts to others. Truly it needs only that 

a female cat (une chatte) come on the scene to 

A MERCHANT S MARK. 

(From a Print at the British Museum.)

derange all his philosophy ; but are our philos- 

wiser on such occasions ? " 

ophers 

The cat, as the emblem of independence 

and liberty, has been used in heraldry, statuary, 

and signboards. 

well-known firm 

In the sixteenth century a 

of printers named Sessa, at 

Venice, adopted the device of a cat surrounded 


by curious ornamentation, and Dibdin in one of says : 

his works tells us that whenever you see Sessa's 

cat you may be sure the book is a good one and 

worth reading. Ever 

since the days when 

the Romans carried on 

their banners the design 

of a cat, this combative 

and courageous 

animal has been a fa- 

vourite symbol of warriors 

and nobles. The 

wife of King Clovis, 

Clotilde,had a cat sable 

her armorial 

upon 

bearings, springing at a 

rat, and on the famous 

Katzen family's shield 

was a cat holding a 

mouse in its mouth. 

In Scotland the Clan 

Chattan was known by 

the emblem of a wild 

cat with the significant 

motto, " Touch not the 

cat, but " 

(meaning 

without) " the glove." 

Their chief was called 

Mohr au chat, or the great wild cat. 

M. Champfleury, dealing with cats in 

heraldry, tells us that the French Republic 

resumed heraldic possession of the cat and 

Maison du chat qui peche." In the Lombards' 

quarter of Paris, " Le Chat Noir " was formerly 

a familiar figure above restaurants and 

confectioners. In England we often come 

across " The Cat and the Fiddle " as a signboard 

to old country village inns, and in 

Cassell's " Old and New London " a writer 

" Piccadilly was the place in which ' 

Cat and Fiddle ' 

ALICE AND THE CHESHIR1 

CAT. 

The 

first appeared as a publichouse 

sign. The story is that a Frenchwoman, a 

small shopkeeper, had 

a very faithful and 

From ''AH

human body is as a corpse, but when the 

spirit has satisfied its desires it retakes its 

proper form." 

He continues : 


" Having one day killed 

a cat which had made inroads upon my 

larder, a druggist of the neighbourhood came 

to me in a great fright and entreated me to 

spare all animals, for he said he had a daughter 

who had the misfortune to be a ' 

barecy,' and 

that she was often in the habit of assuming 

the shape of a cat in order to eat the sweetmeats 

served at my table." 

Milton tells us " that when the cat washes 

her face over her eares, we shall have a great 

store of raine." A cat sneezing is supposed to 

bring luck to a bride on her wedding day. 

Sailors have in all times been prone to super- 

stition as regards cats. A black cat's appearance 

on the ship foretells disaster, but if a 

cat should disappear overboard the greatest 

consternation is caused amongst the crew. 

Very plentiful are the nursery rhymes, fairy 

tales, and stories concerning cats a good-sized 

book would not contain them. 

" The cat," 

says M. Champfleury, " is the nurse's favourite 

and the baby's earliest friend. It plays its 

A STUDY. 

(From the painting by Madame Ronner.) 

part in little rhythmical dramas, cunningly 

presented to the drowsy child, who falls asleep 

with a familiar image parading fantastically 

through his brain." French nursery rhymes 

are much prettier than English. For instance, 

this bald and commonplace statement is not 

calculated to catch the attention of the juvenile 

mind : 

" Great A, little A, bouncing B, 

Cats in the cupboard, and can't see me." 

lowing 

How much softer and daintier are the fol- 

lines : 

"A, B, C, 

Le chat est alle 

Dans la neige ; en retournant 

II avait les soulicrs tout blancs." 

In passing, I should say it is strange that to 

the French a cat is always masculine, and to 

the English feminine. 

In the days of good Queen Anne the story 

of pussy's venturesome journey to London 

was put into verse, and what child has not 

listened eagerly to these lines from that time 

down to our present day ?

" ' 

' 

" ' 

' 

Pussy-cat, Pussy-cat, 

Where have you 

I've been to London 

To see the Queen.' 

been ? ' 

Pussy-cat, Pussy-cat, 

\Yhat did you do there ? ' 

I frightened a little mouse 

Under her chair.' " 

In " Alice in Wonderland " Lewis Carroll 

has given the world " a childish story " which 

will never cease to 

delight both young 

and old. In this we 

read of the "Cheshire 

Cat " which 

grinned down upon 

the guests assem- 

bled at the royal 

croquet party, and 

having incurred the 

anger of the Queen, 

was in danger of 

having 

its head cut 

off by order of the 

infuriated monarch. 

The other volume 

by the same author 

" 

Alice Through 

the Looking-Glass " 

opens 

with a de- 

scription of the way 

in which Dinah the 

cat washed her chil- 

dren's faces : 

" First she held the 

poor thing down by 

its ear with one 

paw, and then with the other paw she rubbed 

its face all over the wrong way, beginning at 

the nose." Then follows an animated con- 

versation between Alice and the kitten. All 

the world knows of the love Lewis Carroll had 

for children, and I can assert he had an affection 

also for cats, for when a child he spoilt and 

petted me and my kitten. I only wish I could 

remember the deliciously impossible stories he 

was wont to tell me of fairies, goblins, and 

pussy-cats. 


MADAME RONNER AT WORK 

(Photo: Alexandre^ Brussels.) 

Harrison Weir, in his book on cats, has 

gathered together 

a number of curious cat 

proverbs. Some are very familiar, such as : 

" A cat may look at a king " " 

Care will kill 

; 

the cat " ; 

" 

When the cat is away the mice will 

" 

one is : When 

play," and a very significant 

the maid leaves the door open the cat's in 

fault." The quaint saying, "When candles are 

out all cats are gray " is a very expressive one. 

When we consider the cat in art, it is among 

Eastern painters we 

find the most delicate 

and skilful 

studies. Next to 

the Egyptians, the 

Chinese and Japanese 

have excelled in 

the artistic treatment 

of animals. 

In many of the 

Dutch interiors 

given to us by Flemish 

artists, the do- 

mestic cat may be 

seen curled up on 

the hearth, or sit- 

ting erect, bearing 

somewhat the ap- 

pearance of being 

stuffed with bran. 

In many of the 

early Italian sacred 

pictures we find the 

cat depicted, but 

great painters, like 

Titian, Velasquez, 

and Murillo, seem 

to have preferred the dog as an adjunct to their 

portraits. Raphael and Salvator both considered 

puss a worthy subject for their brush. 

In M. Champfleury's interesting book on cats 

he gives a facsimile from the powerful pencil 

of Mind, whom Madame Lebrun has termed 

" the Raphael of Cats." The attitudes are so 

true to nature that the cat seems alive. Mind 

was a native of Berne, and in 1809, on account 

of a scare of madness amongst cats, eight hun- 

dred were put to death. This was a heart-

i6 THE BOOK OF THE CAT. 

break to the cat-loving painter, who, however, 

managed to save his favourite pet Minette from 

the wholesale massacre. 

Very quaint reproductions of cats have been 

made in the following wares : Whieldon, Salt 

Cilaze, Agate, and Staffordshire. With Chinese 

and Japanese cat figures we are all familiar ; 

they are grotesque rather than beautiful. 

Coming down to the cat artists of the present 

day, we would mention Madame Henriette 

Ronner, who has justly deserved the great reputation 

that she has acquired in her own country 

as well as ours. It is in depicting kittens in 

their ever-varying 

moods that 

MadameRonner 

most excels. 

Whether playing 

havoc with 

antique lace, as 

" 

in Un Bout 

de Toilette," 

scattering an 

artist's materi- 

als, as in " Mis- 

chief," or dragging 

jewels from 

a casket, her 

kittens are 

instinct with 

vitality, and are 

portrayed in a manner implying knowledge of 

their anatomical structure, as well as in a most 

appreciative perception of their youth and 

beauty. Most lovers of cats are acquainted 

with Madame Ronner's artistic volume con- 

taining so many faithful and lovely reproductions 

of several of her best pictures, and an 

interesting account of her life and work written 

by Mr. M. H. Spielmann. 

Another famous painter of cats is M. Eugene 

Lambert, who may be said to divide the honours 

with Madame Ronner in portraying with fidelity 

and artistic taste the feline race. Among 

English animal painters we have none who can 

come anywhere near to these two celebrated 

French artists in their marvellous delicacy of 

touch andsubtle skill in depicting cat and kittens. 

" 

CRYSTAL," 

THE PROPERTY OF MRS. FINNIE YOUNG. (Photo: C. Reid, Wishaiu.') 

In these latter days who is there amongst 

us, young and old, who has not enjoyed 

a hearty laugh over the comical 

Louis Wain ? In his particular 

cats 

line, 

of 

he 

is unique, for no one has ever portrayed 

cats in such various attitudes and with 

such deliciously expressive countenances. The 

adjectives and adverbs of the Cataract of 

Lodore would not suffice to describe the 

varied emotions of these funny felines. A 

Christmas without one of Louis Wain's 

clever mcatty pictures would be like a 

Christmas pudding without the currants ! 

To Harrison 

Weir cats and 

cat lovers owe 

a debt of gratitude. 

He has 

done much to 

raise the stand- 

ard of the feline 

race, and in his 

excellent book 

called "Our 

Cats," he thus 

writes in his 

preface : 

"Long ages of 

neglect, 

ment, and absolute 

cruelty, with 

ill treat- 

little or no gentleness, kindness, or train- 

ing, have made the cat self-reliant ; and from 

this emanates the marvellous powers of 

observation, the concentration of which has produced 

a style analogous to reasoning, not unmixed 

with timidity, caution, wildness, and a retaliative 

nature. But should a new order of things arise, 

and it is nurtured, petted, cosseted, talked to, 

noticed, and tamed with mellowed firmness 

and tender gentleness, then in but a few generations 

much evil that bygone cruelty has stamped 

into its wretched existence will disappear, and 

it will be more than ever, not only a useful, ser- 

viceable helpmate, but an object of unceasing 

interest, admiration, and cultured beauty, and 

thus being of value, it will be profitable." 

It was Harrison Weir who instituted and 

carried out the first Cat Show held at the

Crystal Palace in 1871, and since then he has 

taken an active part in the cat world. Of late 

years, however, he has been failing in health, 

and it was suggested that some testimonial 

should be offered to him in his declining years 

by his many admirers and cat-loving friends. 

Our Cats, that popular weekly publication, 

opened a list in their columns, the result being 

a handsome piece of plate, which the veteran 

F.R.H.S. was asked to 

acknovyledging 

accept. In his reply 

the gift, he writes : 

" 

Kindest 

and best wishes to those warm-hearted and 

truly unforgetful friends who have contributed 

towards the very handsome testimonial." 

Then he goes on to allude to the first cat show 

and to his prophecy regarding the growing 

popularity of the cat family : 

" 

Did I expect 

the outcome to be what it is ? Yes, and no. 

I fully expected large shows and more of them, 

and a ' 

Cat Press,' and in the papers cat 


columns for the universal and worthy favourite 

cat. But in another way I am disappointed, 

and that is for the neglect of the short-haired 

English cat by the ascendancy of the foreign 

long-hair. Both are truly beautiful, but the 

first in intelligence, in my opinion, is far in 

advance of the latter." Therefore, with a hope 

that Harrison Weir may yet live to see the 

English short-haired cats still more widely 

loved and appreciated, and given better classification 

atôtir shows, I will pass on to my 

cats and cat clubs. 

chapter on present-day 

and the many other institutions and societies 

which are the outcome of the rapid strides 

that have been made in the cat fancy since 

the day when Harrison Weir was laughed 

at by his incredulous and astonished rail- 

way companion as they travelled together 

to the first Cat Show held at the Crystal 

Palace in 1871. 

LADY ALEXANDER'S " BROTHER BUMP." 

CHAMPION SHORT-HAIRED BLUB.

THE term " Cat " is applied in its widest 

sense to all feline animals. The follow- 

ing are the various names by which the 

cat is known in different countries, and it is 

curious to note that, with two exceptions, 

they all begin with a " C " or a " K," and 

differ very little in pronunciation : Irish and 

Scotch, Cat ; French, Chat ; Dutch, Kat ; Dan- 

ish, Kat ; Swedish, Katt ; 

German, Katti or Katze> ; 

Italian, Gatto ; Portuguese 

and Spanish, Gato ; Polish, 

Kot ; Russian, Kots ; Turk- 

ish, Keti; Welsh, Cetti; Corn- 

ish, Katt ; American, Katz. 

In the English house and 

home we call her " puss," 

and it is the name which ap- 

peals most to our hearts. 

No woman likes to be called 

a " cat," but to be likened to 

a puss or pussy is suggestive 

of something or someone soft 

and pretty, with gentle, win- 

ning ways. Archbishop 

Whately has said that only 

one English noun had a true 

vocative case, " Nominative, 

i8 

SLEEPING BEAUTIES. 

(.Photo: Mrs. S. Francis Clarke.) 

CHAPTER II. 

CATS OF TO-DAY. 

MISS F. SIMPSON'S " BONNIE BOY. 

(Photo: Gunn &* Stuart, Richmond.') 

cat ; vocative, puss." I do not think that in 

any other country there is a pet 

name for the 

cat, just as there is no word in any foreign 

language that breathes the same tender 

truth to the hearts as " home." Puss and 

home ! 

The 

terms seem so closely connected 

with each other, and suggest peaceful hap- 

piness and restful repose. 

Truly, the history of 

the cat has been a strangely 

chequered one. Perhaps, 

because she is such a secret, 

complex, and independent 

creature she has remained 

somewhat of a puzzle to 

humankind, and is therefore 

to a great extent misunder- 

stood ; but those who will 

take the trouble to consider 

the cat and try to understand 

her, will find that puss isnone 

of those things she has 

been accused of being. It 

is only those who are in 

constant contact with cats 

who understand how intelli- 

gent they really are ; although 

their intelligence is

quite in a different mould from that of the 

dog. I may mention that the household cat 

outnumbers, it is said, the household dog in 

London by the proportion of four to one. This 

fact may be accounted for by the non-taxation 

of cats. The question of the taxation of cats 

has very often been raised, and I do not think 

values his cat would 

that anyone who really 

object to pay a yearly tax ; 


but the proposal 

is as unpractical as it is ridiculous, and it is 

certain that taxation would not help in 

exterminating the poor, disreputable, halfstarved 

members of the feline tribe, who have 

no fixed abode and whose only means of exist- 

ence is by plunder. 

The figure and number nine seems to be 

an important one in connection with cats. 

There is a popular saying that a cat has nine 

lives. The expostulating tabby in Gay's 

Fables says to the old beldame : 

" 'Tis infamy to serve a hag, 

Cats are thought imps, her broom a nag ; 

And boys against our lives combine, 

cats have nine." 

Because, 'tis said, your 

Cats probably owe this reputation to their 

extraordinary powers of endurance, and certain 

it is that they have a greater tenacity 

to life than any other animal. At the Batter- 

" 

AT WORK AND PLAY 

(Photo: C. Reui, Wis 

sea Home a dog and a cat have been placed 

in the lethal chamber, and it was observed 

that the dog died in five minutes, whereas 

the cat breathed for forty minutes longer. 

short time ago I received the following letter 

from a cat fancier : 

" At ii p.m. two kittens, a few hours old, were 

placed in a pail of water, and left there for rather 

over ten minutes. Seeing them at the bottom 

with their months open, it was taken for granted 

they were dead ; the bodies were then transferred 

to the ashpit, and early next morning they 

were discovered to be alive and quite chirpy. 

Restoring them to the mother, they have grown 

nice, strong, healthy little kits, and have justleft 

for comfortable homes." 

In Thistleton Dyer's interesting book on 

" 

English Folk-lore," reference is made to- 

" " 

this subject. Cats," he says, from their 

to fall on their 

great suppleness and aptitude 

feet, are commonly said to have nine lives ; 

hence Ben Johnson, in 

' 

Every Man in his 

'Tis a pity you had not ten 

Humour,' says, ' 

lives a cat's and your own.' ' 

" In the Middle Ages a witch was empowered 

to take cat's body nine times," so writes 

an eminent old zoologist. 

The "cat-o'-wme-tails" is a dreaded object 

to some light-fingered and heavy-handed 

miscreants. I have heard a magistrate 

remark that he considers this form of punishment 

the best way in which to give hints 

A


to the wicked. Garrotting was virtually stamped 

out by its use. Wife-beating would be less 

common if the brute-husband were treated 

to a taste of the cat-o'-nine-tails. This implement 

of torture consists of nine pieces of cord 

put together, and in each cord are nine knots. 

Consequently every stroke inflicts a large 

number of long and severe marks not unlike 

the clawing and scratching of a savage cat, 

producing crossing and re-crossing wounds. 

In my long and varied 

experience of cats, I have 

noticed that more of 

these creatures succumb 

to the common enemy at 

about nine years of age 

than at any other period. 

We have heard of cats 

attaining the age of 

twenty years, but the 

following account sur- 

passes all previous records 

of longevity in 

the feline world : 

To THE EDITOR OF THE 

Stock-Keeper, 

Sir, Seeing you have 

a column in your paper de- 

voted to cats, I thought it 

might interest your readers 

to hear that in our vil- 

lage there is a cat thirtyone 

years old. She is quite 

lively, and looks like living 

a few more years. It 

belongs to a poor widow, who told me she had 

it as a kitten when she married. (Her husband 

lived twenty-seven years, and has been 

dead four.) 

Newbury, Bucks. W. B. HERMAN. 

It is strange that the poor dead bodies of 

cats have often been used as objects of foolish 

and vulgar so-called sport. Dead cats and 

rotten eggs were, and are sometimes still, con- 

sidered legitimate missiles to make use of at 

borough and county elections. 

All sorts of stories are related of pussy's 

superhuman intelligence, but the most uncanny 

KITTEN BELONGING TO MRS. E. S. OWEN, 

DETROIT, MICHIGAN. 

BY "KlNG OF THE SILVERS" "BLESSED DAMOZEL." 

(Pflota : Albany Art Union, New York.} 

one of very recent date I will refer to here. 

It may be remembered that in the winter of 

1901 a vessel named the Salmon was wrecked. 

On the morning of the accident, this vessel 

was 

two 

lying alongside the Sturgeon, and her 

cats, who had all their lives shown the 

most perfect contentment with their home 

and surroundings, made desperate efforts to get 

on board the Sturgeon. The crew drove them 

off again and again, and the ship's dog attacked 

voyage out to Australia flying 

them, but they would not 

be deterred, and when 

the Salmon at last cast 

off, the two cats landed 

with one frantic and final 

spring on to the Sturgeon's 

deck. It seems absurd 

to argue that those cats 

knew of the coming dis- 

aster, yet why should 

they take such a sudden 

and utterly unreasonable 

aversion to the ship which 

had always been their 

home ? And why should 

they insist on making 

their way to another 

vessel from which they 

had been so inhospitably 

repulsed ? 

We have many proofs 

of the extraordinary ex- 

tent to which a cat's 

sense of hearing and smell 

are developed. On my 

fish would some- 

times fall on to the deck. The cats that are 

always somewhere about the ship might be 

comfortably curled up asleep below, but the 

peculiar sound would fetch them up in a greal 

hurry, and they would rush to secure the prize. 

The crew used to amuse themselves sometimes 

by trying to imitate the noise in various ways 

to deceive them but the cats were not to be 

; 

" " 

had they could distinguish the peculiar 

thud of the flying fish from all other sounds. 

Various theories have been put forward to 

account for the marvellous instinct which a

2* 

THE ANTIQUARIES. 

(From t/ie painting by Madame Runner.)


cat possesses, enabling her to find her way 

home although miles and miles of untraversed 

country lay between her and the place from 

which she has been taken. It is contended 

that a cat which is conveyed in a bag or blind- 

folded will have its sense of smell in full exer- 

cise, and will, by this means take note of the 

successive odours encountered on the way, 

and that these will leave in its mind sufficient 

information of the route so as to make it an 

easy matter for the animal to find its way back 

again. Be this as it may, many of us can state 

facts which are 

even stranger 

than fiction of 

mysterious reappearances 

of cats 

who, with a hom- 

ing instinct as 

true as any car- 

rier - pigeon, return 

to the haven 

where they would 

be. 

The instinct 

of maternity is, 

perhaps, more 

largely developed 

in the cat than in 

any other animal. 

No creature 

shows such anx- 

iety for the safety and welfare of her offspring 

as she does, and often her natural timidness will 

give place to bold and fearless courage when 

her little ones have been in any difficulty or 

danger. Mivart tells us of a cat that plunged 

into a swiftly running stream and rescued her 

three drowning kittens, bringing them one by 

one in safety to the shore. During a fire in a 

London theatre, which took place a few years 

ago, a poor cat with her family was left forgotten 

at the back of the stage. Three times 

the faithful mother rushed into the flaming 

building and reappeared each time with a kitten 

in her mouth. But alas! with fatal persistence 

the devoted creature returned to rescue the 

KEPWICK VIOLET AND " KEPWICK HYACINTH 

BLUES BELONGING TO THE HON. MRS. MACLAREN MORRISON. 

(Photo : J. R. Clarke, Think.) 

was proved, for after the fire was extinguished, 

the charred bodies of mother and child were 

found lying side by side. 

A clever writer has stated that " the human 

race may be divided into people who love cats 

and people who hate them ; 

the neutrals being 

few in numbers." This is very true. There 

are also differences of opinion as to whether 

cats are desirable inmates of a household or 

not, but there can be no question as to the great 

utility of these animals, and it is only natural 

to suppose that they were created for the pur- 

pose of suppressing 

rats and mice 

and other vermin. 

There is a 

popular notion 

that if a cat is 

petted and well 

fed she will become 

less useful 

as a mouser. 

This is a fallacy, 

for the cat's in- 

clination is to 

hunt the mouse 

or rat, not for 

food, but for 

sport, and an animal 

that is en- 

feebled byneglect 

and starvation is 

not in the best condition to successfully catch 

its prey. This love of sport is not, however, 

inherent in all cats, but is hereditary in the 

feline tribe as it is in the human race. 

It may not be generally known that the 

Government pays annual sums for the purpose 

of providing, keeping, 

" 

harmless, necessary 

and feeding numerous 

cats " in their public 

offices, dockyards, and stores, thereby attest- 

ing to the worth and capability of pussy's 

services. 

In the National Printing Office in France 

a considerable number of cats are employed 

in keeping the premises clear of rats and mice 

which would otherwise work havoc amongst 

remaining one, and that she reached the spot the stock of paper always stored in large

OF TO-DAY. 

In 

quantities. Vienna, cats are placed on mice. Now rarely one is nibbled, and every 

active service in the municipal buildings. At morning dozens of lifeless bodies are cleared 

many of our great rail- 

stations there is a 

way 

feline staff engaged in 

the various warehouses 

and offices. The farmer 

will readily admit the 

usefulness of puss in 

his barns, stables, outhouses 

and fields 

Farmers are notori 

ous grumblers, but they 

would have gr ater 

cause for discontent 

and disappointment if 

rats and mice were al- 

lowed to live and thrive, 

and breed and multiply 

on their premises. The 

newly sown peas and 

corn stacks would suffer 

MISS SAVERYS BLUE PERSIAN KITTEN. 

(Photo: H Warschaiuski, Si Leonards-on-Sea.) 

away. Curiously 

enough these dead mice 

have their tails eaten 

off, for apparently this 

cat has a weakness for 

the appendage, whereas, 

usually the head is 

considered the delicate 

morsel amongst the fe- 

line race. It seems that 

although 

the cat is left 

alone with all the flut- 

tering birds at night, 

she never has attempted 

to molest them in 

any way. 

I lately had occasion 

to visit one of our 

London theatres during 

the daytime, when it 

to a terrible extent, and the broods of ducklings was empty ; and observing a big brown cat 

and chickens would speedily vanish if puss did walking about amongst the stalls, I made 

not keep a vigilant eye and silently but surely some remark about him to the official who 

fulfil the duties of her 

calling. 

In the live stock de- 

partment of the Army 

and Navy Stores in Lon- 

don, an orange Persian 

cat may be seen 

strolling about 

amongst the 

cages of birds 

of every sort. 

The attendant 

informed me 

she had been 

on the premises 

three or four 

years, and had 

saved the company 

a 

" 

tidy 

A PAIR OF SHORT-HAIRED BROWN TABBIES. 

(Photo: T. Fall, Baker St., W.) 

accompanied 

me. He 

said they found it quite 

impossible to get along 

without a cat ; they had 

tried, but the place became 

overrun with mice. 

During pussy's 

occupation of 

the empty playhouse 

plenty of 

bodies were discovered, 

but 

never a live 

mouse had been 

seen disporting 

itself. 

The cats in 

Gove r n m e n t 

service in Ame- 

sum." Previ- 

rica are very 

ous to obtaining ner services the packets of numerous. The army has a regular corps of 

bird-seed disappeared like magic, for they them kept at the commissary depots of the 

were demolished wholesale by the swarms of great cities. It is customary for the officer

in charge of each depot to submit to the 

War Department a request for an allowance 

for the cats of meat and milk. 

More than three hundred cats are 

in the employ of the Post Office 

Department, distributed among 

about fifty of the largest offices. 

The New York City office expends 

sixty dollars annually in cats'meat. 

At Pittsburg, there is a 

"cold-storage" breed of cats, 

which has special qualifications 

for enduring extreme cold. These 

cats are short tailed, with long 

and heavy fur, and their eyebrows 

and whiskers are extraordinarily 

long and strong. It is said they 

do not thrive when transferred 

to an ordinary atmosphere. 

The following extract from the 

Daily Mail of February ist, 1902, 

gives us an account of a most 


exemplary, well trained, and up- CAT CALENDAR. 

to-date cat, and opens up a fresh (.By kind permission of Ra 

field for the utility and agility of 

our domestic pets not an absolutely fresh 

field indeed, if one recalls the fact that Puss 

was already a " retriever " in ancient Egypt. 

A PING-PONG CAT. 

Hunting 

for balls is un- 

doubtedly the one great drawback 

to ping-pong. Might I 

suggest a novel and easy 

method of accomplishing this 

difficult and unpleasant task ? 

My cat is now an expert in 

the art of finding ping-pong 

balls. Immediately 

the ball 

touches the floor the cat is 

after it, and brings it from its 

hiding-place to the side of the 

table at which I am playing, 

thus saving me from unnecessary 

exertion. F. S. W. 

The thought suggests itself that pussy's teeth 

and claws might work serious havoc amongst 

the ping-pong balls, and that some of these 

would be produced in a mutilated condition. 

CAT CALENDAR. 

(By kind permission o/ Raphael Tuck &> Co.) 

Of all animals the cat appears most to re- 

sent being taught or trained to do tricks. Puss 

has a natural antipathy to be 

forced to do anything, or remain 

anywhere against her will. Hence 

the few exhibitions of really clever 

performing cats in comparison 

with the marvellous feats achieved 

by dogs. It has been stated that 

the cat is the hardest animal to 

teach ; it takes years to train a 

cat to perform some simple trick 

which a dog would learn in as 

many weeks. Once a cat is trained, 

it becomes a very valuable possession. 

We have all seen the 

Happy Family, consisting of 

monkeys, guinea-pigs, canaries, 

pigeons, and mice, whilst a cat 

is seated demurely in the midst 

of this incongruous assembly. No 

doubt some training was required 

to cause puss to disregard the 

natural instincts of her race. 

The cat is a most cleanly crea- 

ture, and perhaps more particular about her 

appearance than any other animal. As Miss 

Agnes Repplier, in her delightful book. " The 

Fireside Sphinx," says: 

"Pussy's adroitness is 

equalled only by her delicacy 

and tact. Her cleanliness 

and her careful atten- 

tion to her toilet show re- 

spect for herself and for us." 

One of the strangest 

and most profitable trades 

in London is the wholesale 

and retail business of horsemeat 

for cats. In barrows 

and carts the hawkers of 

this horse-flesh cry their 

wares throughout the city 

and suburbs, and find a 

ready sale for them. It is stated that 

26,000 horses, maimed, or past work, are 

slaughtered and cut up every year to feed our 

household pets. Each horse means on an

average 275 pounds of meat, and this is sold 

by pussy's butcher in half pennyworths skewered 

on bits of wood. The magnitude of this 


birthday. His occupation was also given 

' 

mouse-catcher, worker on his own account.' " 

A description of the ordinary domestic cat 

trade can be estimated by the fact that it keeps is hardly necessary, but before I pass on to 

constantly employed thirty wholesale sales- mention matters of general interest concernmen. 

I may here mention that a cats'-meat i ng cats of to-day, I will give a quotation from 

men's supper was organised last year in London a Board School boy's essay, which speaks for 

by the editor of Our Cats, assisted by Mr. Louis itself : 

Wain and others ; and a most 

entertainment was given at the City of New 

"The house-cat is a four-legged quadruped, 

the legs as_usual being at the corners. It is 

York Restaurant. The applications for tickets what is sometimes called a tame animal, though 

were so numerous that 400 men had to be re- it feeds on mice and birds of prey. Its colours 

fused and when the ; 

250 guests were seated, 

it was clearly proved that 

every available inch of 

accommodation had been 

utilised. Having been 

present, I can testify to 

the excellent supper and 

entertainment provided 

for the cats'-meat men 

of London. 

The most casual ob- 

server cannot have failed 

to remark the wonderful 

development of late years 

" " 

in Catty Christmas 

souvenirs, thus giving 

proof of the growth of 

love and admiration for 

pussy. We have cat almanacks, 

cat calendars, and cat annuals, and 

CAT CALENDAR. 

{By kind permission of Raphael Tuck d- 3 

Co.) 

are striped, it does not bark, but breathes through 

its nose instead of its mouth: 

Cats also mow, which you 

have all heard. Cats have 

nine liveses, but which is 

seldom wanted in this 

country, coz' of Christianity. 

Cats eat meat and 

most anythink speshuelly 

where you can't afford; 

This is all about cats." 

Perhaps my readers 

think that after 

I can testify to the innumerable Christmas tioning particulars of Clubs and Cats of the 

cards with designs of cats of all sorts and present day. The question has often been 

may 

such a lucid description 

of the subject in hand, 

further comments are 

unnecessary ! 

I will proceed, how- 

ever, to give a glance 

round at the Cat Fancy in general before men- 

conditions which have found their way into asked whether the Cat Fancy 

will ever be- 

my hands expressive 

festive season. 

of good wishes at the come as popular and fashionable as the breed- 

ing of dogs, poultry, and birds ? I think this 

The official mind would probably frown at question may be answered in the affirmative, 

the suggestion that the census returns should when we consider that during last year a dozen 

be enlivened with incidental humour. How- and more large cat shows have been held in 

ever, after the last census, the following state- different parts of England and Scotland, to 

ment appeared in the press : 

say nothing of numerous mixed shows where 

a section for cats was provided. Every year 

" 

An enumerator in going over a return paper 

found that the household cat had been included 

as a member of the family. It was described 

as ' 

Jim,' the the number of fanciers increases, and although 

this particular hobby 

relationship to the head of the 

is almost entirely 

confined to the gentler sex, yet it is really surfamily 

being ' 

lodger.' The entry then stated prising to find how many more men are bethat 

he was of the male sex, single, aged one last ginning to take an interest in the pussies, and


are keenly excited in the winnings of the 

household pet or the king of the cattery. As 

a friend once said to me, " You know what 

men are ; if only the cats win prizes, my husband 

does not mind, but it is a different 

matter if I return from a show with no award ; 

interest has been manifested, better classifi- 

cation given, and a larger number of cats 

exhibited. It was, therefore, considered ad- 

visable to have some definite organisation, 

and the National Cat Club was instituted in 

1887, 

then he 

" 

cats ! 

declares we must get 

I am afraid that cat 

rid of all the 

fanciers must 

be looked upon as a rather quarrelsome set, 

with Mr. Harrison Weir as president. I will 

now proceed to give a list, which I believe to be 

complete and correct, of the various other clubs 

and societies in England and America which 

and there is no doubt that petty jealousies have been organised and which are all at this 

and spiteful gossip retard in many ways the present time in thoroughly good working order. 

development and improvement 

of the fancy. 

Another question 

that is often asked is 

whether cats can be 

made to pay or, in 

other words, whether 

cat breeding is a profitable 

undertaking. 

From my own experience, 

which has extended 

over a number 

of years, I can unhesi- 

tatingly say I have derived 

not only much 

pleasure but a good 

deal of profit from 

keeping cats, and also 

I have started many MR . HARRISON WEIR. 

friends in the fancy (piuto-. c. E. corke, smenoaks.) 

who have gone on and 

prospered. The dangers that beset begin- 

ners are many, and the chief difficulty is to 

know how to limit the number of our pussies 

and so avoid overcrowding, or retaining poor 

stock which will not prove creditable or profitable. 

Cat keeping on an extensive scale means 

a large outlay, followed by constant and un- 

tiring attention. I do not intend, however, 

in' this chapter to enter into any details as to 

the care and management of cats, for this and 

other subjects connected with their interests 

will be fully dealt with later on. 

In my preceding chapter 

I alluded to the 

first Cat Show held at the Crystal Palace in 

1871. This exhibition of cats has become 

LIST OF CAT CLUBS 

AND SOCIETIES. 

The National Cat Club, 

founded 1887. Hon. sec., 

Mrs. A. Stennard-Robin- 

son, 5, Great James Street, 

Bedford Row, London, 

W.C. Annual subscrip- 

tion, i guinea. 

The Cat Club, founded 

1898. Hon. sec., Mrs. 

Bagster, 15 A, Paternoster 

Row, London, E.G. An- 

nual subscription, 

i guinea. 

The Northern Counties' 

Cat Club, founded 1900. 

Hon. sec., Mrs. Herbert 

Ra.nsome, Altrincham. 

Annual subscription, IDS. 

The Silver and Smoke 

Persian Cat Society, 

founded 1900. Hon. sec., 

Mrs. H. V. James, Back- 

well, near Bristol, Annual subscription, 55. 

Black and White Club. Hon. sees., Miss Kerswill 

and Miss White Atkins. Entrance fee, is.; annual 

subscription, 45. 

The Blue Persian Cat Society, founded 1901. Hon. 

sec., Miss Frances Simpson, Durdans House, St. 

Margaret's-on-Thames. Annual subscription, 55. 

The Siamese Club, founded 1900. Hon. sec., 

Mrs. Baker, i3,Wyndham Place, Bryanston Square,W. 

Annual subscription, 4.5. ; to working classes, 

2s. 6d. 

The Orange, Cream, Fawn and Tortoise-shell 

Society, founded 1900. Hon. sec., Miss Mildred Beal, 

Ronaldkirk Rectory, Darlington. Annual subscrip- 

tion, IDS. 

The Chinchilla Cat Club, founded May, 1901 . 

Hon. 

sec., Mrs. Balding, 92, Goldsmith Avenue, Acton. 

Annual subscription, 53. 

The Short-haired Cat Club, founded 1901. Hon. 

an annual fixture, and year by year greater sec., Mrs. Middleton, 67, Cheyne Court, Chelsea.

The Scottish Cat Club, founded 1894. Hon. sec., 

J. F. Dewar, 2, St. Patrick Square, Edinburgh. 

nual subscription, 53. 

An- 

The Midland Counties Cat Club, founded at 

Wolverhampton, 1901. Hon sec., Miss Cope, 136, 

Bristol Road, Birmingham. Annual subscription, 53. 

The British Cat Club, founded 1901: Hon. sec., 

Sir Claude Alexander, Faygate Wood, Sussex. Sub- 

scription, 53. 

The Manx Cat Club, founded 1901. 

CATS OF TO-DAY. 27 

Miss Hester 

Cochran,Witchampton,Wimborne. Subscription, 53. 

The Beresford Cat Club (Chicago), founded 1899. 

President, Mrs. Clinton Locke ; corresponding secre- 

tary, Mrs. A. Michelson, 220, 

East Sixtieth Street, Chicago. 

Annual subscription, resident 

members, 2 dollars ; non-resi- 

dent, 

The Chicago Cat Club, 

founded 1899. President, Mrs. 

Leland Norton, Drexel Ken- 

i dollar. 

nels, Drexel Boulevarde, 

Chicago. 

The Louisville Cat Club, 

founded 1900. Corresponding 

secretary, Miss E. Converse. 

Annual subscription, 50 cents. 

The Pacific Cat Club, founded 

1900. Corresponding secre- 

tary, Mrs. A. H. Brod, 114, 

Brodcrick Street,San Francisco. 

Annual subscription, i dollar. 

The Atlantic Club, founded 

in New York, 1902. Correspond- 

ing secretary, Dr. Ottolengui, 

So, West Fortieth Street, New 

York. 

Since the formation of the National Cat 

Club, many changes in its constitution have 

taken place. On the retirement of Mr. Harri- 

son Weir from the presidency, Mr. Louis Wain 

was appointed, and still holds the office. The 

N.C.C. is fortunate in having so energetic a 

hon. sec. and treasurer as Mrs. Stennard- 

Robinson, whose name is so well known in the 

" doggy " world. The following is a list of 

MR. LOUIS WAIN. 

(Photo : Lascelles & Co.) 

Vice-Presidents. The Right Hon. the Countess 

of Warwick, The Viscountess Maitland, The Mar- 

chioness of Dufferin and Ava, The Countess of 

Aberdeen, The Lady Hothfield, Lady Willoughby, 

Lady Reid, The Hon. Mrs. McLaren Morrison, The 

Lady Granville Gordon, Lady Decies, The Hon. Mrs. 

Baillie, Madame Ronner, Mr. Isaac Woodiwiss, Mr. 

Sam Woodiwiss. 

Committee. Louis Wain (President), Lady Decies, 

Lady Alexander, The Hon. Mrs. McLaren Morrison, 

Mrs.Vallance, Mrs. Balding, Miss Hamilton, Dr. Roper, 

Mrs. Herring, Mrs. Ransome, Mrs. G. H. Walker. 

Hon. Sec. and Treasurer. Mrs. A. Stennard j 

Robinson, 13, Wyndham Place, 

Bryanstone Square, W. (Telegraphic 

address "Bow-wow, 

London.") 

The National Cat Club was 

organised (i) to promote hon- 

esty in the breeding of Cats, so 

as to ensure purity in each dis- 

tinct breed or variety ; (2) to 

determine the classification re- 

quired, and to encourage the 

adoption of such classification 

by breeders,, exhibitors, judges, 

and the committees of all Cat 

Shows ; (3) to maintain and 

keep the National Register of 

Cats; (4) to assist the Showing 

and Breeding of Cats, by holding 

Cat Shows under the best 

sanitary conditions, giving 

Championship and other prizes, 

and otherwise doing all in its 

power to protect and advance 

the interests of Cats and their 

owners. 

The National Cat Club.is also a Court of Inquiry 

and Appeal in all matters relating to Cats, or affect- 

ing the ownership of Cats, and so saves the expense 

to its Members of litigation. 

The National Cat Club founded its Stud Book 

some twelve years ago, and it is the only reliable source 

of information concerning the pedigree of Cats. The 

Registration Fee is is. for the Register of Names, 

but for the Stud Book the fee is 55. for Approved 

Cats exhibited under N.C.C. Rules. 

officers of the National Cat Club at the time The two principal shows of the National 

of writing, and a summary of the objects for 

which the Club was : 

organised 

Cat Club are held annually at the Botanical 

Gardens in connection with the Ladies' Kennel 

THE NATIONAL CAT CLUB. 

Patron. H.H. Princess Victoria of Schleswig 

Holstein. 

President.- -Her Grace the Duchess of Bedford. 

Association in June, and at the Crystal Palace 

in October. In 1901 the total number of cats 

shown at the Palace was 601, and the entries 

numbered 1,021. There were 106 classes


provided for long- and short - haired cats. 

The following is the definition of the classes : 

DEFINITION OF CLASSES. 

Open Classes. Open to all Cats, Prize-winners or 

Novices. 

Limit Classes. For Cats of any age that have not 

won Three First Prizes. 

Novice Classes. For Cats of any age that have 

never won a First Prize 

at any Show. 

Special Novice Cats. 

For Cats or Kittens 

over 6 months that have 

never won a Prize of 

any sort at a Crystal 

Palace Show. 

Neuter Classes. For 

Gelded Cats. 

Stud Classes. For 

Male Cats that have 

sired Kittens which are 

entered a ad on exhibition 

in this Show. 

BtoodQuenn Class. 

For Queen Cats whose 

Kittens are entered in 

this Show. 

Selling Class. For 

Cats of any colour or 

Sex to be sold at a price 

not exceeding 3 guineas 

in Long - haired or 2 

guineas in Short :haired 

and Foreign. 

Ring Class. For Cats 

shown in collar, and lead. 

Kitten. Classes. 

Single entries to be over 

3 months and under 8 

months, unless otherwise 

stated. 

Brace. For 2 Cats, age over 6 months. 

Team. For three or more Cats, age over 6 months. 

No Cats can be entered in brace or teams unless 

also entered in one other class. 

LADY MARCUS 

(From a painting by 

The money prizes in each class are First, 

i ; Second, ros. ; Third, 53. The list of 

special prizes, including Challenge Trophies 

and medals, numbered 262 at the last Crystal 

Palace Show in 1901. 

In addition to the two regular fixtures of the 

N .C.C. , other catshows are held in different places 

in connection with the Club and under its rules. 

The National Cat Club reigned alone until 

1898, when Lady Marcus Beresford started 

and founded the Cat Club. This ardent cat 

lover has done more for pussy than anyone in 

She is most lavish in her generosity 

the fancy. 

and unwearying in her efforts to promote the 

welfare of the Club. It was Lady Marcus who 

first started the idea of holding cat shows in 

aid of charity. The 

BERESFORD. 

Edward Hushes.) 

Cat Club's first show, 

held at St. Stephen's 

Hall, Westminster, in 

1899, was in aid of the 

Children's Guild of 

the Deptford Fund. 

In 1900 

the fami- 

lies of the soldiers 

and sailors who had 

fallen in the Trans- 

vaal were benefited 

to a large extent by 

the proceeds of the 

show. In 1901 the 

Children's Hospital, 

Great Ormond Street, 

was the charity se- 

lected to receive a 

handsome donation 

of 100. The Westminster 

shows have 

always been splendidly 

managed, a 

noticeable feature 

being 

for competition. The following 

the wonderful 

array of beautiful 

special prizes offered 

officials connected with the Cat Club : 

THE CAT CLUB. 

(Founded by Lady Marcus Beresford.) 

is the list of 

The objects of the Club are the general good of the 

Cat, the promoting of true breeding of Cats, the hold- 

ing of a Winter Show, so that Cats may be exhibited 

at their best, and taking other steps that shall be for 

the welfare of the Cat. 

The annual Subscription is i is., payable on 

election, and on the ist of January in each succeed- 

ing year.

A Stud Book and a Register of Cats are kept by 

the Club. 

Presidents. Lily, Duchess of Marlborough : 

Duchess of Wellington ; 

Lord Marcus Beresforu. 


Edith, 

Vice-Presidents. Isabella, Countess Howe ; Vis- 

countess Maitland, Viscountess Esher, Lady Ridley, 

Lady de Trafford, The Hon. Mrs. Bampfylde, Lady 

Lister, Lady Gooch, Mrs. Barnet, Mrs. Alfred files, 

Mrs. Walter Campbell, Mrs. Chaine, Mrs. George 

Dawkins, Mrs. Gary Elwes, Mrs. C. Hill, Mrs. King, 

Mrs. Nicholay, Mrs. Tottie, Mrs. Pestoa Whyte, 

Lord Walter Gordon Lennox, A, E. Bateman, Esq., 

Colonel Chaine, Henry King, Esq. 

Committee. Lady Marcus Beresford, Mrs. Vary 

Campbell, Mrs Dean, Mrs. Paul Hardy, Mrs. C. Hill, 

Miss Anderson Leake, Mrs. R. Blair Maconochie, 

Mrs. Neild, Mrs. Simon, Mrs. Mackenzie Stewart, 

Mr. L. P. C. Astley, Mr. Gambier Bolton, Rev. P. L. 

Cosway, Mr. W. R. Hawkins, Mr. E. W. Witt. 

Hon. Treasurer. Lord Marcus Beresford. 

Hon. Secretary. Mrs. C. J. Bagster, 15 A, Pater- 

noster Row, London, E.G. 

There is really ample room for two parent 

clubs, as the Fancy is making such rapid strides, 

and, no doubt, well-appointed shows with good 

classification do a great deal to benefit breeders 

and assist fanciers. Between the National 

Cat Club and the Cat Club there is one point 

of serious disagreement, namely, as regards reg- 

istration. At present members are expected 

LITTER OF SIAMESE KITTENS. 

BELONGING TO LADY MARCUS BERESFORD. 

(Photo.: T. Fall, Baker St., W.) 

and required to register their cats in each 

club if they exhibit at the respective shows. 

It would be a great benefit to the cat world 

in general and to the exhibitor in particular 

if some arrangement could be made whereby 

one independent register should be kept, 

and that both clubs might work together 

and assist each other in endeavouring to 

scrutinise and verify all entries made in the 

joint register, so that inaccuracies should be 

detected and fraud prevented. 

The Northern Counties Cat Club is affiliated 

with the N.C.C., and has quite a large number 

of members. This enterprising club holds 

two shows in Manchester every year, which 

hitherto have been capitally managed by the 

energetic hon. sec. As a natural sequence a 

Midland Counties Club has lately been started, 

having its working centre at Birmingham. No 

doubt arrangements will be made for holding 

a cat show in this or some other equally central 

Midland town. 

The Scottish Cat Club is in a flourishing 

condition, and has been steadily working up 

members since 1894. A show is annually held 

in Edinburgh, and fanciers over the border are 

taking a much keener interest in cats.

In America the fancy has gone ahead in a 

wonderful way. It was in 1895 that the first 

cat show of general interest was held at Madison 

Square Gardens, New York. There had previously 

been some private attempts to have 

exhibitions of cats in connection with poultry 

and pigeon shows. In 1896 an American Cat 

Club was organised, which did some good work. 

Then Chicago started a Cat Club in January, 

1899, and this was followed by a most successful 

enterprise on the part of Mrs. Clinton Locke, 

who founded the Beresford Cat Club, called 

after Lady Marcus Beresford, 

and now numbering about 

200 members. In January, 

1900, the club held its first 

big show. The classification 

was of a most comprehensive 

nature, and the list of special 

prizes a very liberal one. 

This show is now an annual 

fixture, and the Cat Club of 

sends medals and 

England 

prizes to be competed for. 

Many 

of the best cats ex- 

hibited at these shows have 

been exported from England, 

and Americans are 

very keen in trying to procure 

the very best possible 

stock high prices in many 

cases being offered to induce English fanciers 

to part with prize-winning specimens. 

The following is a list of officials of the 

BERESFORD CAT CLUB OF AMERICA. 

Officers. 

Mrs. Clinton Locke, 2825 Indiana Ave., (President); 

Mrs. Charles H. Lane, 5323 Madison Ave., (First Vice- 

President} ; Mrs. F. A. Howe, 3041 Grand Boulevard 

(Second Vice-President) ; Mrs. A. A. Michelson, 220 

E. 6oth Street (Corresponding Secretary) ; Miss L. C. 

Johnstone, 5323 Madison Ave. (Recording Secretary) ; 

Mrs. Elwood H. Tolman, 5403 Madison Ave. (Trea- 

surer). 

Directors. 

Mrs. J.H.Pratt, 5816 Rosalie Court; Mrs. Lincoln 

Miss Louise Fergus, 


"PUCK III. 

THE PROPERTY OF THE PRINCESS VICTORIA OF 

SCHLESWIG-HOLSTEIN. 

At the Cat Show held in January, 1902, as 

many as 75 classes were provided, and it is 

plain to see from these that Americans have 

not the same antipathy for broken colours 

that is, cats with white markings as we have 

in England, as there are classes specially for 

orange and white, and black and white cats. 

In another part of this work I shall refer to 

varieties and breeds of cats existing in America 

which differ from those in England. The 

Beresford Cat Club have an extremely well 

arranged stud book and register, which is published 

annually. I am sure 

in Ame- 

that the Cat Fancy 

rica has a great future before 

it, and we cannot help being 

greatly struck with the earnestness, 

thoroughness, and 

enthusiasm with which 

Americans 

this hobby. 

have taken up 

When we con- 

sider the great distances in 

the States and the paucity 

of good stud cats, and the 

few opportunities of exhibit- 

ing at well organised shows, 

we cannot fail to admire the 

energy and enterprise displayed 

by our American 

fellow-fanciers. 

Specialist Clubs for Cats 

are of very recent growth. The first was 

started by an ardent breeder of silver Persians 

in 1900. It was then called the Silver Society, 

and it included smokes and silver tabbies. The 

title of this society has since been changed to 

the Silver and Smoke Persian Cat Society. In 

the following year Blue Persian Breeders be- 

stirred themselves and formed a society for this 

most popular breed. In the same year the 

Orange, Cream, and Tortoiseshell Society, the 

Siamese Club, and the Chinchilla Club were in- 

augurated, also a Manx Club came into existence, 

and two clubs for short-haired cats were 

started. Particulars concerning these specialist 

societies and their objects will be found in 

Nicholson, Lee Centre, Illinois ; 

3220 Sheridan Road Mrs. Blanch P. ; Robinson, 

6, Langley Place ; Mrs. Vincent E. Gregg, 736 North future chapters on the various breeds of cats. 

Park Avenue. It will be noticed bv the list of clubs given

that for brown tabby and black and white 

Persians no societies have as yet been formed, 

but doubtless ere long these varieties will be 

gathered into the fold of specialist clubs. 

A good deal of discussion has taken place 

in"catty circles as to the desirability of having 

specialist societies, but I am sure a vast and 

marked improvement has taken place in the 

different breeds since their formation, and the 

fact of publishing a standard of points has 

certainly assisted breeders in coming to a more 

correct idea of what constitutes a good cat of 

a particular breed. The 

number of challenge prizes, 

medals and specials offered 

by these societies at various 

shows act as an incentive to 

exhibitors, and thus entries 

increase and competition 

becomes keener. Specialist 

cl,ubs are not altogether 

popular with the parent 

clubs, who regard them with 

rather a suspicious and 

jealous eye. They think 

that exhibitors may join 

these less expensive socie- 

ties and yet continue to 

show and win prizes with- 

out subscribing to the club 

that holds the show. No 

doubt there is something 

in this, and specialist clubs 

should be ready and willing not only to 

offer prizes for which their members only can 

compete, but they ought also to guarantee 

classes, and perhaps give a donation towards 

the expenses of the show. 

There have been quite a number of catty 

cases in our courts of late years, and these 

generally seem to cause considerable amusement 

to the legal as well as to the public mind. 

At a recent trial, where a lady was wrongfully 

accused of 

starving a Persian cat, the magistrate, 

wishing for information, inquired of the 

witness (who was a veterinary surgeon) how 

long a cat could live without food. The reply 

was, " I am sure I could not say, sir, for cats 


MRS. CLINTON LOCKE AND HER SIAMESE 

AND " KITTENS "CALIF BANGKOK." 

are the funniest animals we have to deal with." 

And it is very true that these creatures, being 

so complex, require to be specially studied, 

and our principal veterinaries, who lead busy 

lives, are just a little superior to the many ailments 

and infirmities of these too often despised 

animals. It is therefore a subject of satis- 

faction for cat fanciers that two clever and kind 

animal-loving men have taken up the doctoring 

of cats, and_by personal experience are learning 

" pretty pussy's ways " in sickness and 

in health. Mr. Ward, of Manchester, and 

"Salvo," of Hertford Heath, 

are now two household 

names in the cat fancier's 

vocabulary. To the many 

excellent remedies prepared 

by these clever specialists I 

shall refer later on in my 

work. Suffice it here to say 

that when in doubt or diffi- 

culty about your pussy's 

state of health I would re- 

commend you to write to 

either of these common- 

sense practitioners. 

The cat literature of the 

present day has been 

steadily on the increase. 

The first paper to supply 

special cat columns was 

Fur and Feather, which, 

as its title infers, treats be- 

sides of birds, rabbits, poultry, cavies, mice. 

This weekly paper has a large circulation 

amongst the various fanciers. In 1899 Our 

Cats was started, and is widely read by the 

ever-growing circle of cat lovers, and claims the 

unique distinction of being " The only news j 

paper in the world solely devoted to cats." In 

both these papers there are stud advertisements 

of cats and a register of visits of queens 

and births of kittens. 

In America the chief organs in the cat 

world are The Cat Journal, The Pet Stock 

News, and Field and Fancy. 

And now a few words on those most ex- 

cellent institutions which should appeal to the

hearts of the animal loving public I mean the 

homes for poor stray and starving cats. It is 

a mercy that there are now several of these 

refuges in our great metropolis. I have personally 

visited Gordon Cottage at Argyle Road, 

Hammersmith, and the London Institution in 

Camden Town. The objects of both these 

institutions are practically the same, namely : 

(i) To receive and collect homeless and 

diseased cats and painlessly destroy them. 

THE CATS PLAYGROUND : 

(2) To provide a temporary home "for 

lost cats. 

(3) To board cats at a moderate weekly 

charge. 

The Camden Town Institution to which Her 

Majesty the Queen has graciously given Her 

Patronage, was founded by Mrs. Morgan in 

1896, and up to the end of 1901 has received 

the enormous number of 47,212 lost and 

starving cats. The average received weekly 

is 300, and in one day as many as 91 cats 


have been taken in. Not a day passes without 

several wretched cats having to be destroyed 

at once on admission, and 80 per cent, are 

destroyed within twenty-four 

hours of admit- 

tance. No charge is made to the poor, and only 

is. 6d. for a painless death in the lethal cham- 

ber is asked from those who can afford this 

most merciful mode of destroying life. The 

dead cats are cremated at the Battersea Dogs' 

Home at a charge of 3d. each body. A motor- 

ROYAL LONDON INSTITUTION FOR STARVING 

CATS AT CAMDEN TOWN. 

{Photo: Cassell &> Company. Limited.') 

car is employed to go round and collect stray 

cats, and will call at any house if due notice 

has been given to the hon. manageress. It is 

estimated that the number of cats in London 

is close upon three quarters of a million, of 

which from 80,000 to 100,000 are homeless. It 

is during the summer months, when house- 

holders leave town for their holidays, that poor 

pussy is forsaken and forgotten, and no provision 

being made for her, she is forced to take 

to the streets, where she seeks in vain to stalk

the wily London sparrow or pick up any scraps 

from the gutter. The humbler folk very fre- 

quently manifest vastly greater solicitude for 

the Tom or the Tabby of their hearths than do 

their social superiors. All lovers of cats owe a 

debt of gratitude to those truly noble ladies 

who have begun and carry on such a merciful 

work in our midst. To attempt to alleviate 

and even those 

suffering must appeal to all ; 


In our sister isle there is a Cats' Home, 

established sixteen years ago by Miss Swifte 

in Dublin, and she has most gallantly carried 

out the beneficent objects with which she 

started her humane work. No doubt she and 

other founders of similar institutions have had 

to suffer a considerable amount of ridicule, 

for with many human beings the cat is 

regarded as little deserving of commiseration 

ROYAL LONDON' INSTITUTION FOR LOST AND STARVING CATS. 

who have an instinctive dislike to harmless 

cats cannot fail to see the immense benefit 

to be derived by the public at large from 

the noble endeavour to clear our London 

streets, squares, parks, and empty houses of 

these poor forlorn and friendless creatures. 

At. the Battersea Home for Lost Dogs there 

are also splendid arrangements for stray cats, 

and at a 

very small charge per week cats can 

be taken in to board. The catteries are 

^ 

capitally arranged, and the feeding is ex- 

cellent. 

(Photo : Cassell & Company, Limited.) 

or kindness. It is, however, a sign of increased 

and benevolence that these homes for 

justice 

cats do exist and obtain public support, al- 

though the funds received are, according to 

all accounts, very inadequate 

to meet all 

the expenses. This must surely be partly 

because these splendid institutions are so 

little known to the general public. 

Our American cousins are not behindhand 

in their laudable endeavours to cope with the 

question of lost and starving cats, and an 

institution similar to our Battersea Home was


started in the early 'eighties in the district 

of Boston, and is called the " Ellen M. Gifford 

Sheltering 

giving her 

Home for Animals." The lady 

name to this humane institution 

left a large sum of money to endow the home, 

and over the office is a tablet bearing the 

following 

extract from one of Miss Gifford's 

letters about the time the home was opened : 

It was as early as 1874 that this institution 

was founded, and in 1889 it was reorganised 

and incorporated as the " Morris Refuge for 

Homeless and Suffering Animals," having for 

its motto " The Lord is good to all, and His 

tender mercies are over all His works." 

The efforts of the charitable ladies who so 

ably assisted in the establishment of these in- 

THE CART OF THE ROYAL LONDON INSTITUTION FOR LOST AND STARVING CATS. 

" If only the waifs, the strays, the sick, the 

abused would be sure to get entrance to the 

home, and anybody could feel at liberty to bring 

in a starved or ill-treated animal and have it 

cared for without pay, my object would be 

attained. March 27, 1884." 

According to Miss Helen Winslow, the 

authoress of 

" 

Concerning Cats," there is 

another institution in Philadelphia which does 

not limit its good work to tending cats and 

dogs, but cares for all living and suffering 

animals, bringing relief to the unfortunate 

creatures by means of a painless death. 

(Photo: Cassell & Company, Limited.) 

stitutions have been followed by others, and a 

proposal 

to found a home for animals in 

Montreal has, I believe, proved successful. 

Miss Winslow tells us that there are several 

cat asylums and refuges in the Far West, and 

a Sheltering Home at Brighton, Mass. In 

1901 a Cat Refuge was started in Chicago by 

a well-known cat-lover, Mrs. Leland Norton, 

and probably, as time goes on, some further 

organised attempt 

will be made to deal with 

the question of lost and starving cats in 

American towns. 

The love of the cat still lingers in Egypt,

and I have been told that free rations to starv- 

ing cats are dealt out every day 


at the Palace 

of the Cadi and the Bazar of Khan Kheleel ; 

also that a cats' home has been founded 

Cairo for the lodging 

and feeding of 

homeless cats. 

There was a re- 

port that in order 

to cope with the 

innumerable lost 

and starving cats 

the American Legislature 

had decided 

rats and mice would multiply to an alarming 

extent. It is estimated that in New York city 

alone 60,000 cats depend for their daily food 

on garbage 

and 

the mice 

and rats 

that they 

capture. 

Therefore, 

if each cat 

catches 

three mice 

or rats a 

week, the 

sum total 

am ounts 

to over 

9,000,000 

a year ! 

I have often wondered why some of our 

numerous "distressed ladies" do not set up 

private homes for the care of cats. A really 

comfortable country home for cats is an 

enterprise in which many a woman, who is 

hopelessly at sea for some means of earning 

in 

an honest livelihood in this overcrowded 

work-a-day world, might thus combine 

pleasure with profit. Many fanciers feel the 

difficulty and well nigh impossibility of leaving 

their catteries for 

any length of time, 

and few have a permanent 

and responsible 

caretaker on 

the premises. An 

opening, therefore, 

presents itself not 

only for boarding 

homes for cats, but 

to enforce a bill for 

licensing cats, but 

if such a law came 

into existence in THE HON. PHILIP WODEHOUSE S 

any country the result 

would surely 

be that thousands of cats with good homes 

would be thrust out into the streets, and that 

" for temporary helps 

who could be engaged 

by the week 

SILVER SAINT. or month to take 

(Photo : Clarke & Co., Norwich.) 

charge of the cattery 

during the absence 

of the owner. Of course, such a person 

should have had experience with cats and kit- 

tens, and above all should be an animal lover. 

To dwellers in any of our large cities the 

sojourn in some country place 

A BEVY OF BLUES BELONGING TO MISS SAVERV 

(Photo : ll'aschenki, St. Leonanls-on-Sea.) 

would come as 

a boon and 

a blessing, 

and if the 

owner of 

thecattery 

is fully assured 

of 

the capabilities 

of 

the care - 

taker, then 

all anxiety 

of mind as 

to the wel- 

fare of the 

pets would 

be allayed. 

There is a secluded corner in Hyde Park 

known as the Dog's Cemetery, and amongst 

the many headstones I noticed two or three 

erected in memory of lost pussies who have 

been privileged to rest in this quiet burying 

ground.

When we see poor pussies packed into dirty 

cages in the birds in 

shops of dealers 

our great metropolis, 

of beasts and 

and when we 

are made sad by the sight of the wretched 

starving cats of our streets, we can breathe 

no better wish for them than a speedy 

deliverance from their life of misery, even if 

it be to embark with the grim ferryman in 

their free transportation to the Feline 

Elysium. 

" There shall the worthies of the whiskered race, 

Elysian mice o'er floors of sapphire chace, 

'Midst beds of aromatic marum stray, 

Or raptur'd rove beside the milky way." 

A French writer of the early part of the 

eighteenth century, a famous Jesuit Father, 

suggests a very strange theory on the old idea 

as to the nature of the soul of animals. I am 


sure that the question of a future existence for 

those pets who during so short a time in this 

world have been our faithful and loving companions 

must have often entered into the 

hearts and minds of true animal lovers. 

A wise and good man a writer of some of 

our most beautiful hymns, and who passed to 

his rest within the last year wrote and gave 

me these lines when he lost his faithful dog : 

AN OLD FRIEND. 

SANCHO : 

A large brown Irish retriever : buried in 

the Vicarage Garden of St. Paul's, Haggerston 

: a stone to his memory is on the school 

wall, with this inscription : 

" In the centre of this lawn lies 

SANCHO, 

a gentleman in all but humanity ; 

thorough-bred, single in mind, true 

of heart ; for seventeen years the 

faithful and affectionate friend of 

his master, who loved him, and now 

for him ' 

faintly trusts the larger 

' 

Hope contained, it may be, in 

Romans viii. 19-21. 

He died April 26, 1883." 

NOT sparse 

of friends the world has been to me 

By grace of GOD sweetness and light to life 

Their love has given ; many a stormy strife, 

Many a pulseless torpor, on my sea, 

Through them their presence or their memory 

Have been or stilled or quickened ; 

and to thee, 

My Dog, the tribute, as the term, is due, 

My Friend ! not least of all dear, near, and true 

These seventeen years and through the years to be 

Sure in my heart of immortality. 

Must this be all ? I' the great Day of the LORD, 

Shall aught that is of good and beauty now 

Be missing ? Shall not each gift be restored ? 

Paul says " the whole creation " why not thou ? 

CATS' TOMBSTONES IN THK DOGS' CKMETKKV, HYDK PARK. 

: (Photo Cassell & Co., Ltd.)

I 

37 

TABBIKS UP A TKKK. 1'hotc: C. Reitt, Wishaia. 

CHAPTER III. 

CARE AND MANAGEMENT. 

N the care, management, and feeding of haps with rice or Freeman's Scientific cats no hard and fast rule can be laid 

Food, 

raw meat twice or three times a week cut up 

down, for the dispositions and constitu- into fairly small pieces, horse-flesh (if obtained 

tions of these animals differ just as much as from a reliable source) twice a week. Lights, 

clo those of human beings. Fanciers must liver, or sardines may be given occasionally, 

therefore learn to treat their cats individually Sloppy food in any large quantity should be 

and not collectively ; they must study their avoided ; but oatmeal well boiled, cornflour, 

character and make allowances for the fads arrowroot, and several of the well-known 

and fancies of the feline race. I am convinced foods, such as Neave's or Mellin's, make a 

that a varied diet is the best for cats, and nice change. Spratt's biscuits of various 

fanciers should bear in mind 

kinds, soaked and mixed with 

the importance of regularity in 

stock, are relished by some 

the hours of 

feeding, whether 

cats. Vegetables should be 

two or three or four times a 

given frequently, and grass 

day. Fresh water should always 

be supplied, and unfinished 

food should not be left 

standing about. For one or 

two pet cats the scraps 

from the table given with 

judgment will 

probably 

suffice ; but in the case 

of a large cattery with 

several inmates, some sort 

of system in 

feeding is 

necessary. I would suggest 

that the chief meal 

for two days a week 

should be fish, mixed per- 

3* 

BLUE PERSIAN. 

PRESENTED BY Miss PATTERSON TO HER MAJESTY 

THE QUEEN. 

supplied, as green food purifies 

the blood and keeps the bowels 

in good condition. Persian 

cats require special attention 

as regards their coats, and 

should be combed and 

brushed regularly, and, if 

the fur becomes matted, 

the knots should be cut 

away. Avoid washing 

your cats ; there are other 

means of cleansing their 

coats, particulars of which 

will be given in the 

chapter on exhibiting.

FEMALE CATS AND KITTENS. 

As regards the management of female cats, 

it is necessary to start from the time when 

they first arrive at maturity, viz. when they 

are first capable of becoming mothers. This 

usually takes place or they " come in season," 

as it is called after they are seven or eight 

months old ; and though cases have been 

known when this has happened before six 

months, it is very unusual. It may there- 

fore be laid down as a rule that if a kitten 

exhibits extraordinary high spirits, racing and 

tearing about, it should be carefully watched, 

and not allowed its freedom without supervision, 

either out of doors or in the house. 

Queens may be known to be in season by 

several symptoms, such as rolling on the ground, 

rubbing up against furniture, increased affection 

for their owners, and often by the curious cries 

they utter, at times by a soft note of invitation, 

at other times by shouts of impatience or dis- 

tress which resound through the house. Cats 

should not be mated until they are nine or ten 

months old at least ; 

age, though if they 


twelve months is a better 

are insistent it will not do 

to put them off more than three times, as 

there are records of cats who, having been kept 

back on account of extreme youth, have been 

seriously 

ill or have never had families at all. 

On the other hand, it is possible these cats 

may have had the reproductive instinct abnormally 

strong, though for some cause or another 

they would always have been unfertile. Powders 

are sold to quiet cats who are considered 

too young to become mothers, and two or three 

small doses of bromide have a decidedly calming 

effect. This drug should, however, be 

given with caution, as it is a dangerous one 

in unskilled hands. Cats come in season about 

every three weeks during the spring and 

summer ; but in the autumn and early winter 

months nature seems to intend that they 

should rest ; therefore, as soon as the year has 

turned, and in very mild winters even before 

Christmas, no time should be lost in selecting 

the best sires for the various breeding queens, 

and arrangements made with their respective 

owners, so that as soon as ever a queen is 

ready she may be mated without delay, as 

some cats go off in two or three days, while 

others are not safe for a fortnight. If possible, 

it is well to select a stud cat near at hand, 

especially if your queen is timid and frightened, 

as a long railway journey may upset her. 

It is most essential that female cats 

should be freed from worms before being 

allowed to mate or breed, otherwise the kittens 

will probably fall victims to these pests by 

sucking in the disease with the mother's milk. 

Most cat fanciers know the symptoms which 

are suggestive of worms ; and whenever there 

is a reasonable suspicion of their presence, then 

it is best at once to resort to some of the many 

remedies to be obtained from veterinaries and 

cat specialists. 

A cat's period of gestation is nine weeks, but 

this is often extended to a day or two longer, 

so that it is best to expect a litter about nine 

weeks from the date of the queen's return 

from visiting the stud cat. An experienced 

breeder will most likely see symptoms of a cat 

coming in season, and will then do well to 

give a worm powder. Salvo's No. 3 powder 

may be given one morning, and the cat sent 

off the next day quite safely. Visiting queens 

should be despatched as early in the morning 

as possible and insured, to save delay on the 

road, with the owner's name and address in- 

side package, also the name of the cat, as poor 

pussie will be far if happier on her arrival' she 

hears herself called by her pet name. Tull 

instructions should be sent as to the return 

journey ; also it should be stated if the cat 

is kept out of doors or indoors, and what food 

she is accustomed to have, number of meals 

per diem, etc. If going a very long journey 

the queen should not be nailed into a box, or 

padlocked, as occasional delays occur, and 

the railway authorities will feed and look after 

an insured cat if packed in a hamper or box 

where they can get at the occupant. Boxes 

or hampers with skeleton lids are by far the 

best on this account. If the weather is very 

cold and a basket is used, it should be lined, 

and round the sides brown paper is an additional 

safeguard against draughts, for which

all stations are proverbial. A very delicate 

cat or young kitten finds great comfort in 

winter from a hot-water bottle placed inside 

the hamper for it to rest against. Queens 

should have a good meal an hour or two before 

starting, as they often arrive upset with the 

journey, and in their strange new home will 

not at first touch any food. Do not put any 

food in the travelling basket. It is not well 

for a queen to mate just after a heavy meal. 

Fish and warm milk, if these agree with the 

queen, or a small meat meal, may be offered 

after a long, cold journey, and, if eaten, the 

queen should be allowed to rest an hour or 

two before introducing her to the stud cat. 

After mating, a queen should be kept quiet 

for a few days on her return home, as much 

apart from other cats as possible ; 

CARE AND MANAGEMENT. 39 

but no un- 

easiness need be felt if the visit does not seem 

to have quieted the queen, as she will settle 

down in a few days and cease to think about 

her mate. With regard to treatment of cats 

in kitten, some queens are gentle and quiet, 

and very careful of themselves, others are 

exceedingly bad-tempered, fighting and quarrelling, 

while some amuse themselves by climb- 

ing up high places and jumping down, be- 

having in such a wild and excitable fashion 

that 

but 

they not only endanger their own lives, 

run the risk of bringing maimed and 

deformed offspring into the world. Cats such 

as these should be kept isolated, if possible, 

or at most with only one 

other quiet queen, and 

all high shelves or tall 

articles of furniture 

should be removed. It 

is always well to be very 

careful in handling cats 

in kitten. They must 

never be lifted up by 

their fore legs, but when 

absolutely necessary to 

move or carry them, both 

hands should be used to 

do so, one being placed 

under the body by the 

shoulders to carry the 

weight, while the other hand gently supports 

the hind-quarters ; but the less a cat is 

lifted about the better. All medicines should 

be given quietly and quickly, so that there 

may be no struggling. The cat's head should 

be grasped 

fingers and 

firmly with 

thumb on 

the left hand, 

each side of 

the 

the 

corners of the mouth, and forced back on 

the shoulders with a firm pressure ; this 

will cause~heT to open her mouth, when medi- 

cine can be popped quickly down the throat 

from a spoon held in the right hand. In the 

case of a very restless cat, it is advisable to 

have an assis'tant in administering medicine. 

Amateurs would do well to practise giving 

water in a spoon to queens who are in health, 

so that they may become used to this simple 

method of administering medicine. Cats in 

kit require three or four meals daily of nour- 

ishing food raw meat from four to six ounces 

night and morning, and fish and scraps and 

vegetables or biscuit, etc., for the midday 

meal. Half a teaspoonful of cod-liver oil on 

their food two or three times a week is very 

good for the queens in cold weather ; but 

if sickness ensues, of course the oil must be 

discontinued. Never suffer dianhce-a to go on 

THREE UTTLE MAIDS. 

(Photo: E. Landor, Ealing.)

4o THE BOOK OF THE CAT. 

unchecked. This applies to all cats and kittens 

of whatever age, sex, or condition, but is 

especially dangerous when a cat is in kit or 

nursing her young. Mr. Ward and Salvo 

prepare powders which will stop the diarrhoea, 

and if persevered with will restore the bowels 

to their normal condition. Change 

of diet is 

also very helpful. If the diarrhoea is very 

violent or persistent, or if no medicine can be 

procured, a small quantity of powdered chalk, 

as much as will lie on a sixpence, may be given 

every hour or two, three or four times ; but 

the primary cause, of which diarrhoea is only 

a symptom, should be sought out, and if not 

discoverable, the advice of a cat doctor should 

be obtained. 

Persistent diarrhoea (if not the accompaniment 

of diseases, such as inflammation of the 

bowels, etc.), is usually caused by indigestion 

or worms, and sometimes by a stoppage of fur 

or food imperfectly digested, which nature 

in this way tries to get rid of ; and if this is 

the case, or there is even reason to suspect 

it may be, a dose or two of warm salad oil, 

a teaspoon ful every two hours, will often 

bring away 

the obstruction. Cats in kitten 

A PERILOUS PERCH. 

(1'hoto: C. Reid, Wishaw.) 

frequently suffer from also warm salad 

constipation, for which 

oil is far better than castor 

oil, as the latter is irritative to the bowels, and 

though acting as an aperient, 

the after effects 

are increased costiveness. Warm salad oil, 

given a few hours before the birth of kittens, 

is helpful to the mother. For at least a week 

before the kittens are expected, a nice cosy 

bed should be prepared in some retired spot ; 

and, to a novice, the caution would not be 

amiss do not let a cat in kitten sleep on your 

bed, or she will either have her kittens there, 

or will drag the poor little things into the bed 

the first chance she gets. If a box is to be 

made ready for the cat, it should be of a fair 

size (about twenty-six inches by eighteen 

inches), and should be placed on its side, and 

a bit of wood about three inches deep nailed 

on to the bottom of the side, standing up to 

keep the bedding in its place and the kittens 

from rolling out. This box may be placed 

on a table or two chairs, so arranged that the 

cat can step in and out from another chair. 

The floor of the box should be covered 

with several thicknesses of flannel or blanket 

in the winter and paper in the summer. Avoid 

coloured materials, as the dye will come out 

if they get wet. A bolster may be placed at 

one side of the box stuffed with straw, or hay 

or paper torn up very small, to support the 

cat's back ; but should the weather be very 

cold and the mother delicate, a hot-water 

bottle covered with flannel may be used instead, 

and is a great comfort. A covering should be 

thrown over the box, which may 

be pulled down to hide the in- 

terior, as cats love to be screened 

from observation ; and also it is 

very essential that the tiny 

babies should be kept almost 

in the dark for the 

first fortnight, after which 

time, when their eyes are 

open, the covering can be 

raised in the day and low- 

ered at night in cold weather. 

This box must be placed on 

the ground as soon as the

kittens can walk about, but retaining the ledge 

already referred to, which will keep them from 

ground draughts to a great extent. A nice little 

box with run attached is the best house for a 

cat and kittens ; but as these cost about 253. 

each, a number of them become costly and 

beyond the means of some breeders. The 

bed described is the next best thing, far better 

for shy queens than a box or basket used in 

the ordinary way. An empty drawer makes a 

good place, but the kittens 

should be moved out 

of it as soon as they can 

see, as it is rather too 

dark and close after the 

blind period is past. 

A cat should sleep 

in whatever bed is ar- 

ranged for her for at 

least a week before the 

kittens are expected, and 

when that day arrives 

the queen should be 

carefully watched, as 

some cats will have their 

kittens anywhere if not 

looked after. For the 

sake of those new to the 

fancy, it may be as well 

to remark that cats 

become very restless, 

walking about sometimes 

purring loudly, and 

looking in cupboards and dark corners, while 

occasionally the first noticeable indication that 

the event is about to come off is that the fur 

behind is wet, and if this should be the case 

no time should be lost in carrying the cat most 

carefully to her bed, as the kittens may then 

be expected any moment. Some animals like 

to be left entirely alone while giving birth to 

their young ; others, especially pets, prefer 

to have their owners near to them ; but if 

there is any uncertainty it is better to leave 

her to herself. 

Experienced breeders will know that should 

the labour be dry or very prolonged it is a 

great help to a cat to pass the hand firmly 

CARE AND MANAGEMENT. 

MRS. HARDY'S NEUTER " PHARAOH 

(Photo : Schutk's Photographic Galleries.) 

and slowly down the side during an expulsive 

pain, as the pressure will help the mother and 

hasten the birth of the kittens. 

After the first is born, the rest come comparatively 

easily. Very occasionally there is a cross 

presentation ; but as only those really com- 

petent should attempt to do anything in this 

case, no time should be lost in sending for the 

nearest cat doctor or veterinary. After the 

first kitten~has arrived the birth of which is 

usually heralded by a 

loud cry of pain from 

the mother some milk 

should be made hot, and 

as soon as the new baby 

has been cleaned the 

mother will gladly drink 

this ; 

but on no account 

should cold or even lukewarm 

milk be given the 

same day, or, indeed, for 

two or three days. Nov- 

ices are sometimes start- 

led at seeing the cat eat- 

ing a lump of something 

which they fear may be 

a kitten ; but there is 

no occasion for alarm, 

as it is merely the after- 

birth, the consumption 

of which is probably 

Nature's provision for 

affording sustenance to 

the mother," as an animal in a wild state 

could get no food for at least several hours 

after the birth of its offspring. If a cat is 

wild or shy, it is better to leave her alone (with 

the exception of offering hot milk from time 

to time) until all the kittens are born, and 

they 

should not be examined or handled for 

some days. 

With a gentle queen the first kitten may 

be taken away when the second is born, 

well wrapped up in warm flannel and put 

by the fire, and so on, always leaving one 

kitten until the last is warm and dry, when 

the others should be returned to the mother. 

This plan is most necessary in cold weather

(especially if the kittens are born out-of-doors), 

for if the labour is easy and quick it is quite 

impossible for the queen to dry one kitten 

before the advent of the next, and by the time 

they are all born they are frequently stone 

cold, and so wet that the mother gives up 

the attempt to dry them in despair ; and 

many kittens, thought to be stillborn, have 

died in the night in this way. Kittens quite 

cold and nearly dead have been restored (and 

have lived to a good old age) by being taken at 

once to the fire and warmed and dried, and 

though at first life may appear extinct, time 

and patience will work wonders. If the kittens 

are taken away from the mother at birth as 

described above, it is a good opportunity for 

destroying any that are not wanted, because 

of sex or colour. When the litter is given to 

the mother she should be offered milk again, 

and should after: that be left alone several 

hours; but she will most likely welcome a 

few kind words and loving pats as a reward 

for- all- she has 'gone through, and will then 

cuddle down; contentedly 

; In giving milk do not take the mother out, or 

THE BOOK OF THE CAT-. 

with her little ones. 

even make he'r get .up to drink it, on the day 

of her confinement ; 

; if' she cannot reach it 

comfortably, Taise her head and shoulders with 

one hand; until 'she can reach the saucer held 

and do not be in a 

itt the"0trfer~canvenicntly, 

hurryV'as she knows' well the temperature the 

milk ought to" be, arid will not take it if too 

hot or too cold. Milk should be given night 

and morning, and offered during the day, for 

some days after the kittens are born. Cats 

that never like it at other times are thankful 

for it when nursing ; but, on the other hand, 

cats that have been fond of milk will turn away 

from it at" these times. Queens usually come 

out every few hours for food, and their meat or 

ordinary meal should be ready for them, as 

and return to 

they will want to eat it quickly 

their little ones. After the second or third day 

a warm, clean blanket should be substituted 

for the one on which the kittens were born, and 

it is well to do this when the mother is present, 

as some cats resent interference during their 

absence. 

As soon as the kittens are about a week old, 

a finger should be passed over their eyes, and 

if there is a little ridge on the lids, the eye 

should be moistened with eye-lotion twice 

daily with a camel-hair brush. If, after ten 

days, they do not open as is usual, the eyes 

should be sponged with warm water, as in this 

case they must have become glued together 

with mucus, which should be cleared away, 

and the eye moistened with eye-lotion, taking 

care a little goes well into the eye. The lid 

should then be smeared with olive oil to pre- 

vent adhesion. It is this adhesion of the lids 

which causes inflammation, and the eyes must 

be frequently attended to, so that they may 

be kept open, avoiding any very strong light. 

If the kittens are born indoors in the summer, 

windows should be kept open during the day, 

and when the little creatures are about a fortnight 

old put them out in the sunshine for an 

hour or so daily. The mother must be as well 

fed as she was before the kittens were born, but 

carefully notice if she suffers from diarrhoea, 

for if this is the case, and change of diet does 

not cure it, you may be certain that she is 

nursing too many kittens, and if some of them 

are not speedily removed you will lose them all. 

If a foster-mother can be procured, by all 

means have one, accompanied by one of her 

own kittens if possible. Make a cosy bed 

for her, warming the blanket, and leave her 

in it till night, when, if she seems settled down, 

give her two or more kittens as the case may 

be, removing her own the following night. 

Do not attempt to interfere with the kittens 

while the mother is away, and act very gently, 

talking to, and stroking her so that she may 

not resent your interference. If no fostermother 

can be procured, Mr. Ward, of Manchester, 

has a clever little appliance which he 

claims can be used instead of a foster-mother. 

Some fanciers may take upon themselves 

the task of bringing up the kittens by hand, 

and in that case wrap them up in warm flannel, 

keeping them by the fire by day, and giving 

them a hot bottle at night, feeding with 

weak milk and water about every two hours 

(this should be about half and half), with a

O jjj 

D -S 

< "3 

U


teaspoonful of lime-water to each cup of milk 

and water. It should be given warm, not hot, 

and the milk scalded, not boiled. In London 

or large towns unsweetened condensed milk 

is better than cow's milk, as the colouring or 

preservative acids used by dairymen 

in the 

latter is very injurious to kittens. This condensed 

milk should be much diluted, and 

flavoured with small quantities of salt and 

sugar. If too strong or too sweet, the food 

will cause diarrhoea. Kittens will soon learn to 

suck out of an eggspoon ; 

but do not give too 

much at once, or force the food down their little 

throats when they object to take any more. 

At about five weeks old the kittens will 

begin to lap and possibly to eat. Many 

fanciers are delighted if they will eat and drink 

before a month old, and some make the serious 

mistake of trying to coax the little ones to eat 

solid food at this tender age. Such persons 

do not stop to think how weak are all the 

digestive organs of these tiny creatures. The 

milk of the mother supplies all that is needful 

for their growth and well-being until such time 

as Nature makes itself heard in her demands 

for further nourishment, and if substantial 

food is given to them too soon, or too strong, 

it merely goes through the stomach, passing 

out into the bowels undigested, decomposes, 

and forms slimy mucus which is the hotbed for 

worms, even if it does not set up inflammation 

of the bowels. More kittens die from worms 

and consumption of the bowels than from any 

other complaint, and much of this loss of life 

is directly traceable to strong food at too tender 

an age. 

Lung disease, gastric catarrh, gastro-enteritis, 

are all directly or indirectly set up 

by the non-assimilation of food ; hence the 

supreme importance of giving nourishment 

which can be digested easily. After six weeks 

scraped raw beef may be given (if the kittens 

want to eat) three times daily in very small 

quantities, about half a teaspoonful 

to start 

with, and they may have warm milk and water 

with lime in it. This should be followed by 

Mellin's, or Benger's Frame Food, as directed 

for infants. It is advisable not to allow kittens 

to overload their stomachs, but to feed them 

about four times daily. If healthy they will 

eat eagerly, but not ravenously ; a kitten who 

is greed}' and precipitates itself into the saucer 

in its anxiety to get its dinner may be suspected 

of worms, and when about eight weeks old 

a course of Salvo's No. I powders may be given 

with safety. 

As soon as the kittens are about a month 

old, a shallow tin of dry earth or ashes (I do 

not recommend sawdust) should be provided 

for them, and it will well repay their owners 

to spend some portion of the day with the 

little ones and lift them into the earth-pan 

when necessary. If this is done two or three 

times, the lesson is probably learnt for life. 

Kittens are naturally clean, and will get out 

of their beds, and run about crying loudly 

for some accommodation for their wants ; 

and if this is neglected the seeds of dirty habits 

are sown, and the poor untaught little ones 

reap a sad harvest of cuffs and sometimes 

kicks from servants, who naturally dislike the 

trouble caused by dirty house pets. Even 

in catteries cleanly habits in cats are much 

to be desired. If a cat or kitten gets into 

dirty ways, it should never be beaten and put 

into the tin, but should be gently stroked and 

coaxed into good habits. Those who only 

keep one or two queens will find that if they 

spend a few minutes playing with the kittens 

before their meals, they will be well rewarded 

by the quicker growth and better digestion 

of the little ones ; but, of course, this is out 

of the question in a large cattery. 

In summer, kittens should be combed daily 

with a small tooth comb, as the insects which 

inhabit their coats not only worry them and 

cause them to scratch out their fur, but they 

convey disease from one to another, to say 

nothing of sucking out so much blood that 

the poor little creatures become absolutely 

anaemic, and in this state they fall an easy prey 

to the first disease that attacks them. Fleas 

were formerly treated as irritating but other- 

wise harmless insects ; 

but we are assured on 

the best authority that they are a dangerous 

medium of disease, and that tape-worms are

generated in dogs and cats by their means. 

The poor animals, wildly resenting the annoyance 

of these pests, hunt for them with teeth 

and tongue, and, swallowing their enemy, may 

also swallow a number of undeveloped tapeworms, 

which in their larval or grub state are 

secreted in the abdomen of the flea. Tapeworms 

are said to undergo certain metamorphoses 

or transformations, and require to 

pass through the body of some other creature 

than the one they exist in in their mature 

state of being. 

It is a great mistake to keep kittens 

in heated rooms, and 

worse still to allow 

them to be close to a 

fire by day and then to 

let the room get cold 

at night. An even 

temperature, cold and 

dry, 

is better than sud- 

den changes ; cats and 

kittens love warmth 

and comfort, but, at 

the same time, all extremes 

of heat and cold 

are bad. Never neglect 

the first symptoms of 

illness ; 

note the signs, 

and if you are not able 

to dose the invalid 


KITTB;NS BELONGING TO MISS BROMI.EV 

yourself send off a wire 

to some competent cat doctor describing the 

form the indisposition has taken, and while 

waiting for medicine no harm can be done by 

giving as much carbonate of soda as will lie on 

a threepenny-bit in a little water two or three 

times daily. Salvo has lately advertised a 

medicine which is said to be very valuable for 

giving on the first signs 

of a cat or kitten 

being out of sorts, and which, he says, will take 

down fever, stop colds, and modify attacks of 

bronchitis, pneumonia, etc. ; and for such 

fragile little beings as kittens fanciers would do 

well to keep this medicine by them. People 

often say that their cats and kittens seem ill 

or out of sorts, and allow this sort of thing to 

go on quite calmly for a week or so, when one 

day they wake up to the fact that the poor 

creature is very seriously ill, and they then 

send off in a hurry for medicine which fre- 

quently arrives too late ; 

be beyond 

all human aid. 

and the sufferer may 

Double pneumonia, which is perhaps the 

quickest and most fatal of all diseases, is not 

so sudden but that it is ushered in by various 

symptoms, beginning often a week before the 

attack becomes acute. An animal will seem 

cold, will creep near the fire, or sit in the fender, 

sit in a hunch 

mope about, refusing to play, 

with its back up, or is very sleepy and stupid ; 

the fur is rough ; there 

may be sickness, and 

the evacuations are of 

a bright yellow colour ; 

perhaps it has not quite 

finished its meals for a 

few days ; 

and the nose 

is hot and dry, and, if 

taken up, the cat feels 

hot and dry all over. 

When there are several 

of these symptoms, no 

time should be lost in 

administering the remedies 

named above every 

hour or two until suit- 

able remedies can be 

obtained ; but do not 

rely upon them alone, 

or think if you give them persistently they 

will pull the" animal through the illness, for 

they will not, special remedies being needed 

for special symptoms and for various stages 

of disease. No two animals are exactly alike, 

and the experienced cat doctor will prescribe 

carefully for each individual cat in the same 

way as a physician will give different prescriptions 

to suit the needs of different patients. 

One thing should never be neglected, and this 

is keeping up the strength from the first with 

beef-tea, eggs and milk, Brand's Essence, 

or animal Kreochyle a teaspoonful every 

hour. As soon as an animal has refused 

two meals, begin feeding with will 

spoon, as it 

have so much more strength with which


to battle against disease if fed up well from 

the first. 

People who desire to sell kittens for profit 

will do well to part with them at about two 

months old, before they start teething, for at 

this period of their little lives fresh troubles 

begin. Occasionally they suffer from fits, 

but though these are sometimes caused by 

are oftener due to the 

cutting their teeth, they 

presence of worms. If the gums are swollen 

and inflamed, a quarter of one of Steedman's 

teething powders will soothe them, or a few 

doses of bromide, as prescribed before for 

kittens desiring to mate too early, may be 

given, and excitable kittens should be kept 

quiet. If kittens are troubled with diarrhoea, 

all starchy food should be avoided, as it is 

never easily digested by animals. The reason 

of this is not far to seek, when we know that 

the saliva partly digests starch, while the 

juices of the stomach act directly on meat. 

Animals, instead of masticating their food. 

by which means the saliva acts vipon it, often 

bolt it, and it goes into the stomach and is 

passed out into the large bowel practically 

undigested, where it decomposes, working off 

N'KUTER PETS OWNED KY MRS. HASTINGS LEES. 

(Photo: The Royal Central Photo Co., Bournemouth.) 

in noxious gases which escape through the 

skin, causing eczema, or in many cases producing 

inflammation of the bowels or enteritis. 

Nothing needs more careful attention than 

the diet of kittens, and nothing is so little 

studied. It would be no exaggeration to saythat 

all disease, apart from outside or acci- 

dental causes, such as draughts, cold winds, 

contagion, etc., is in the first place set up 

by undigested food, and even what may be 

railed external causes would often not be harm- 

ful to an animal if the digestive organs were 

in proper working order. Remember, it is 

not the quantity of food a kitten takes that 

benefits it. The secret of its health and well- 

being is in the quantity it digests. A kitten 

should only digest certain things in certain 

proportions, and whatever remains undigested 

produces irritation, and in this case the kitten 

cannot possibly develop, and is generally 

and fretful. 

weakly 

Those who have never cared much for cats 

will be interested and amused if they bring 

up a family of kittens, and the love and trust 

of the little creatures will well repay them 

for all their care.

STUD CATS. 

A male cat should not be allowed to mate 

under a year old, and if you wish to keep your 

stud in good condition do not allow more 

than two, or at most three, lady 


visitors a 

week. There is no doubt that a really reliable 

stud cat is a very profitable possession. The 

most essential recommendations are a sound 

constitution and absolute health, combined 

with a good pedigree and a list of prize-win- 

ning progeny. It is necessary to exhibit your 

stud cat at the best cat shows from time to 

time, and thus to keep him before the public. 

It is also advisable to advertise him in the 

cat papers, and it is often useful to have a 

photograph to forward to fanciers who may 

be unable otherwise to obtain any idea of 

your cat. Needless to say that for stud pur- 

poses a cat should possess the highest possible 

qualifications of the breed to which he belongs, 

and a massive frame and broad head 

are most desirable in all stud cats. It is a 

good plan to allow the visiting queen 

to be 

within sight of the male for a short time 

before she is put in the stud cat's house, and 

for this purpose it is convenient to have a 

small movable pen or hutch to place where 

the two pussies can hold catty conversation, 

A stud cat cannot, for many and obvious 

reasons, be allowed his full freedom ; but it 

is essential that his dwelling place should have 

as long and roomy an exercise ground as possible. 

It is also possible with some male cats 

to tether them out-of-doors for a short period 

during the day, in which case great care should 

be taken to have the lead only as long as will 

permit 

of exercise within a safe distance of 

dangerous pitfalls or spreading trees and shrubs. 

The best time for mating is about one hour 

atter feeding. 

It is most important that stud cats should 

be in good coat at the time of mating, and that 

they should be free from worms. 

The usual fee for a visit to a stud cat is 

i is., and this should be sent at the same 

time as the request for permission to send a 

queen. A second visit is generally considered 

allowable if the first one has proved unsuccess- 

ful. An additional amount of food may be 

given to a cat whilst he is being used at stud, 

and always remember to provide grass in 

some form or other in your stud cat's house. 

There is no universal remedy for all cats, 

neither can there be any rule for feeding them. 

Different cats need different treatment, and 

those which are kept in a captive state, as are 

stud cats, should not be fed on the same lines 

as those tfrnt are allowed full liberty. 

NEUTER CATS. 

Opinions differ as to the best period for a 

cat to be made neuter, but it is generally 

considered advisable to have the operation 

performed between the ages of five and eight 

months. A male cat can be kept as a household 

pet till he is about nine or ten months 

old without any unpleasantness, but after that 

period he must be relegated to an outside 

cattery or stud house. It is cruel to put off 

gelding a cat till he shows signs of wishing to 

mate, A duly qualified veterinary ought to 

be employed, and an anaesthetic used. The 

cat should be kept on a low diet for a day or 

two before 'and after the operation. It is very 

seldom that any evil effects ensue, and after 

a few days the puss is quite himself again. 

Neuter cats grow to an immense size, and the 

Persian varieties develop great length of fur, 

which is generally not shed so frequently or 

to such an extent as in the males and females. 

Neuter cats are very docile, and generally 

rather lazy- and listless ; for this reason they 

are not accounted such good mousers. 

Female cats can also be rendered sexless, but 

in their case the operation is more likely to be 

attended with dangerous results. I have 

heard it stated that a female cat ought to be 

allowed one litter of kittens before being operated 

upon. There are not. many very fine 

neuters on exhibition at our shows, and this 

fact may perhaps be accounted for by reason 

of fanciers picking out weedy and altogether 

below the mark specimens of their litters to 

be gelded because they do not consider them 

worth keeping to breed from. In this way 

several poor specimens of neuters are to be


seen with indifferent markings, white spots, 

incorrect coloured eyes, and long noses. For 

to come 

a home pet there is, of course, nothing 

up to a fine neuter cat who will not roam, who 

does not attract amorous females, and who 

is content to lie for hours stretched out on 

the drawing-room rug 

or the kitchen hearth, 

the admired of all admirers. From the lips 

of many rioted breeders of Persian cats who 

have been troubled by wandering males and 

CAROLLING. 

(Photo : Mrs. S. F. Clarke.) 

prolific females, I have heard the exclamation, 

" " 

I shall end by keeping only neuters ! 

Cat owners in general, and lovers of neuters 

in particular, might do worse than agitate for 

more consideration to be extended to these 

grand pets at our leading shows, and I cannot 

help thinking that a neuter club or society 

might be formed to assist in this and other 

objects connected with the general improvement 

of our neuter cats.

' 

49 

IN A PLAYFUL SORT OF WAY. 

(Photo: 

' T^HE proper housing of valuable stock 

J_ is the first essential subject to be 

studied by the beginner 

E. Landof, Baling.) 

CHAPTER IV. 

HOUSING OF CATS. 

in the cat 

fancy, and one requiring both careful thought 

and attention. For I do not hesitate to say 

that, of all the domestic animals, the cat is 

the most difficult to keep healthy and happy 

in the unnatural condition of total or partial 

confinement. Belonging to the ferae, 

its ori- 

ginal and savage nature still shows glimpses, 

not wholly tamed, in its independence of 

character and its roving habits ; while yet 

its civilised side shows the keenest appreciation 

of the comforts to be found in the 

home life. A house cat that enjoys its freedom 

to go out as it pleases, to climb the 

garden walls, and anon to lie in purring contentment 

before the kitchen hearth, is a 

creature ailing little. It is the pedigreed pets, 

in their luxurious prisons, that too often fall 

a prey to disease. To establish a cattery, 

therefore, that shall be a pleasure and a pride 

to the owner, and not a source of worry and 

grief over perpetual illness amongst 

the in- 

mates, it is necessary in the very first inception 

to study the chief needs of cat nature. 

Let us consider these in order. How our 

typical healthy cattery may be best arranged. 

It must be dry was ever a cat yet seen of 

choice sitting in the wet ? It must have 

ample space, both of houses and runs, and 

inducements for exercise a well-branched 

dead tree sunk in the gravelled run is good, 

besides divers posts, shelves, and benches. 

Let the aspect be bright, with lots of sunshine. 

A cat is a devotee of the sun it is the life of 

young growing things, and the greatest de- 

stroyer of disease germs ; and it is very easy 

by coverings or the growth of climbing plants 

to provide temporary shade during the height 

of summer. For this last, nothing is better 

than that most useful and least fastidious king

of climbers, the Virginian creeper, as it bestows 

its leafy shade just when required, and har- 

bours no damp, as the growth of thick, tall 

trees is apt to do. 

Lastly, let the outlook of the cattery be 

cheerful. Do not select a spot so far from 

the house life that the attendant who feeds 

and cleans is practically the only person the 

cats see in the twenty-four hours. A cat 

loves to observe, preferably 


A MUSICAL PARTY. 

(Photo 

from some secure 

high perch, whence it may see all that passes 

to exchange greetings with the dogs, the 

gardener, the maids, the tradesmen coming 

to the door, and thus fill its imprisoned hours 

with interest. If you disregard this, and put 

your cats out of sight in some back yard, they 

will mope badly, and also grow very stupid. 

These principal requirements being borne 

in mind, individual fancy of building and 

arrangement may follow. Every 

breeder of 

experience has his own ideas of best design, 

according to means and circumstance. If a 

cat fancier is fortunate enough to be able to 

disregard expense, he can indulge in brick 

houses with every appliance for comfort and 

elegance of construction. For others, who 

can supply a working plan, an intelligent local 

carpenter (when found) can do much. Occa- 

sionally, also, it is possible to convert a portion 

of existing stabling to very efficient uses. But 

I must advise the beginner, as regards this 

: E. Landor, Ealing.) 

last suggestion, to be careful. If the stabling 

is modern, and possesses the main requisites 

I have already spoken about (of dryness, and 

space, and cheerful light), 

then all is, and will 

be, well. But if, as is often the case, the stable 

of temptation is old, perhaps unused for some 

years, is dark, with more than a suspicion of 

damp, and a very certain habitat of rats, then 

our fancier is emphatically warned against 

making any trial of it. short of pulling down 

and rebuilding. Let him rest assured, it 

would in the end mean the loss of money, 

time, care, and, most likely, breeding stock

too, and certain ill-health among the poor inmates. 

I know a case in point where a cat 

fancier thus utilised a stable. A converted 

portion of old stabling that looked most desirable, 

and kept scrupulously clean, was 

used for a number of young kittens. Very 

soon a peculiar and most violent form of skin 

disease appeared amongst them, at first as 

mere scurfy patches, but swiftly assuming the 

form of contagious fever, which spread with 

frightful rapidity, infecting 

whom they came in contact. 

every cat 

Not until 

with 

after 

many deaths, and the most cruel sufferings 

of those- who struggled through the disease, 

was it at last discovered to be acute blood 

poisoning, produced by the exhalation of sewer 

gas from an old sewer running underneath 

the floors. Rats were probably responsible, 

either by gnawing through the pipes, or coming 

up into the cattery, themselves stricken with 

the foul disease. 

The site of the cattery selected, the preparation 

of the ground may be advisable, 

certainly on all clay soils. To ensure perfect 

dryncss, the top soil should be removed a foot 

or so and filled in with brick rubble or builders' 

rubbish. On this foundation, cement con- 

crete or asphalt may be laid down. Person- 

ally, for runs and floors, I prefer the cement ; 

it is easier to keep clean a bucket of water 

can swill it from end to end, while it dries 

much faster than the asphalt. Asphalt in 

outside runs is apt to soften in the summer 

sun, and depress into holes, and within the 

houses the smell of the tar remains strong 

for some months. The cost of the two is much 

about the same, but in very damp situations 

the asphalt is preferable, as it prevents all 

ground-damp rising through. 

Now to plan out a medium-size cattery that 

shall be simple in construction and not ruinous 

to the modest beginner, let us suppose we 

have at our disposal a fair length of brick 

wall say 60 to 70 feet in length facing 

south, on slightly sloping ground. Our first 

proceeding will be to level and render damp- 

proof by a foot of rubble, as heretofore suggested, 

a strip n feet wide and about 45 feet 

HOUSING OF CATS. 

along the wall, and to surface this strip with 

cement or asphalt. Upon this, and against 

the wall, we will erect our houses, a long 

wooden shed with lean-to roof, divided into 

three main divisions by matchboarding par- 

titions, and with a smaller house at either end, 

as shown in plan. 

A, the sleeping-room ; B, a playroom for 

queens and kittens ; and C, the third apartment 

for kittening, or cats it is desirable to 

isolate awhile. The smaller houses at the 

outside ends reserved for stud cats. D, doors 

from one apartment to another of wood. The 

outside woodwork is of i-inch feather-edged 

matchboarding, well-seasoned deal, a roof 

of wood, felted and tarred, being preferable 

to the use of corrugated iron, which is very hot 

an annual 

in summer and very cold in winter ; 

dressing of sand and tar keeps the felt watertight 

for many years. Allow good wide eaves, 

and have gutter pipes all round. Inside, line 

the walls with wall felt, and limevvash ; or an 

inner lining of i-inch matchboarding, allow- 

ing a two-inch space to be packed 

with saw- 

dust, keeps the house very warm and dry. 

For the brick back wall, .j-inch matchboarding 

should be sufficient as lining. The dimensions 

of the sleeping-room, A, are 12 feet long 

by ii feet wide, and a wire frame partition with 

door subdivides this again into two equal 

parts. ! Against the back wall, at a height of 

about 20 inches from the floor, runs a broad 

shelf 4 feet wide, having inch-mesh wire net- 

ting frontage, half to open on hinges, and 

movable wooden partitions sliding in a slot ; 

these for the sleeping-pens, each 4 feet deep by 

3 feet wide, two on either side the wire frame 

partition, or convertible into one 4 feet by 

6 by removal of sliding wooden division. 

It will be warmer for the occupants if these 

feet. Cover 

pens are roofed in at a height of 3 

the bench with oilcloth before putting up the 

divisions. This can be washed over daily if 

necessary, and will dry in a few moments, thus 

avoiding the dangers of scrubbing wood in 

damp weather. As nothing offensive can soak 

in, a pure atmosphere is preserved, and risk 

of infection is greatly minimised.

A comfortable sleeping box or basket should 

be provided for each pen, filled in winter with 

plenty of sweet hay, and in summer with sheets 

of newspaper or brown paper. A cat loves to 

repose on paper, and it has the advantage of 

being cheaply renewable and easily burnt after 

a day or two's use. Never use old packing 

straw for bedding. It is frequently full of 

infectious germs, and many skin complaints 

have been traced to its use. Neither are 

cushions, blankets, old bits of carpet, matting, 

etc., to be recommended. They are apt to 

become damp in prolonged wet weather, and 

retain both dirt and odour. A sanitary tin 

to hold dry earth or sawdust should be placed 

in each cat house, emptied and washed out 

every morning by the attendant, when the 

floors are also 

A fair-sized 

swept out cr washed over. 

window, to open, must be in 

the front, and a door, the upper half of which 

might also be of glass, to open out into a gravel 

run. Outside wooden shutters for cold nights 

are a great help in keeping the house warm, and 

should be provided. 

Having arranged our first room, the playing 

room, B, next must come under consideration. 

This being the central division, the felt lining 

could here be dispensed with, and instead the 

boards can either be plainly stained and var- 

nished which is also easy to keep perfectly 

clean or Willesden damp-proof paper might 

be nailed over the walls. This paper, made 

at the Willesden Company's works, Willesden 

Junction, N.W., is made in several good 

colours for interior lining, and a house so hung 

looks very comfortable, and shows to advan- 

tage such mural decorations as show prize 

cards, photos of winners, etc. The frontage 

of this room is to be entirely glazed, in small 

panes set in a wooden framework, with a 

6-inch high weather board at floor to protect 

from draughts, 

inside by wire 

the glass protected on 

netting fastened over it. 

the 

A 

window here to open outwards with a bolt, 

and fairly high up, to ensure fresh air in rainy 

weather without the wet and damp driving 

in on a level with the cats ; a half-glass door 

also to run, but no outside shutters will be 


here needed, the cats net occupying this room 

at night. Cover the asphalt floor with linoleum 

or oilcloth, and put up some shelves 

15 inches wide, fairly high up, 

but within 

leaping distance, against the walls ; a movable 

bench too, to place the cats upon fcr 

brushing and attending to them. Old chairs 

that can be spared from the house might end 

their service here ; or if the luxury of a plain 

wicker chair could be permitted, and furnished 

with one or two cushions in washable slip 

covers, it would be as pleasant for the owner 

when making her visits as for the pussies them- 

selves. A ball for the kittens, a reel hanging 

from a string, will stimulate healthy romps, 

even amongst the staid grown-up cats, when 

weary of indoor dozing. 

Room C C is primarily intended for the 

interesting occasions when new little prizewinners 

are -expected. This is subdivided bywire 

as in sleeping-room, but the partition three 

feet from back wall should be of wood, to ensure 

privacy to the anxious mother, and to temper 

the light ; oilcloth on floor. 

For the littering nests themselves I describe, 

and advise my friends to make trial of, the 

following plan. 

wooden box, or 

Have a sort 

tray with sides, 

of shallow 

made about 

4 feet 6 inches long by 24 inches high and 

4-inch sides. This is stained, varnished, and 

mounted on wooden feet at the four corners 

about two inches high ; a good bed of hay 

is put 

corner 

in it, the 

away 

box is put in a quiet 

from the light, and a truss of 

new straw placed upright at one end of ^he 

box, leaning against the angle of the wall. A 

little of the straw at the bottom may be 

pulled out to suggest the idea of a hole to 

the cat ; but as a rule she takes to the noticn 

brilliantly, and will set to work to dig out a 

nest for herself with the greatest zest. In 

this the kittens are born, safe in a cosy nest 

at the end of a tunnel of straw. There is ample 

ventilation; they ore protected from all 

draughts, so that doors may be left open 

to the fresh air with impunity ; and they rnv 

in the dark, as kittens naturally should be till 

of their own 

they walk out into the daylight


desire to explore the world. Then the rest 

of the tray forms a glorious playground for 

the first week or two, when one adventurous 

mite finds out he can climb up the shallow 

sides, and tumble out on a large strange world 

of floor and trot after mamma. A well-known 

fancier tells me she has not had one litter with 

weak or bad eyes since she adopted the straw 

truss plan. 

One of these trays might be placed each 

side of the wooden partition, and if necessary 

to shut a nervous or surly cat up with her 

family, one might 

be enclosed in a wire front- 

age with door, as the sleeping-pens were ar- 

ranged. Let there be a good large window in 

this room, as the kittens, when running about, 

will want all the sunshine and air possible. 

This run should be of asphalt, for dryness and 

warmth, with plenty of play places arranged 

in it. An old barrel with the bottom knocked 

out affords great games, also the tree I have 

before spoken of ; a tree-stump or two, or a 

heap of dry brushwood stacked in a corner, 

will supply those climbing and hiding holes 

kittens so greatly enjoy, and afford protection 

from winds. 

A grass run and a gravelled one are designed 

in the plan, each having access to the other, and 

will allow the cats ample exercising ground 

according to weather. An oval flower-bed in 

the centre of the grass plot, planted with 

some evergreen bushes, is a good idea. It 

affords shelter, and the cats can dig in the dry 

earth. For the benches in the gravel run, an 

old outhouse door, painted and mounted on 

stout legs, makes a very good one, which the 

cats love to sit upon. 

The stud houses are simple : a wired-in 

space of 12 feet by n feet contains a house wiih 

lean-to roof 4 feet by 8 feet long, iitted 

with sleeping bench and box, wired win- 

dows, door for attendant, and small trapdoor 

for cat. En passant, all doors should 

be fitted with good locks, and locked up 

after feeding at night is done. The stud 

run is gravelled, but a border of grass might 

be left on two sides grass is such a necessity 

for cats in confinement, and they prefer to 

select it growing for themselves. The design 

here suggested is capable of either modification 

or extension. The plan can be enlarged to 

any extent. For instance, if desired, an 

attendant's cottage could be built at one end 

instead of the stud house, and comprise a 

special kitchen, and also an upper room, fitted 

with convenient pens for a hospital for the sick 

members a very necessary adjunct to the 

cattery, as a sick cat should be at once removed 

from its healthy companions and kept 

in a place quite apart. More stud houses 

could be arranged at an angle on one side of 

the chief runs, or, if only a very few cats are 

intended to be kept, one of the divisions could 

be dispensed with, perhaps, and the dimensions 

of the other two made smaller. But whatever 

your ambitions may be, great or small, when 

you are about it have the work well done. 

The heating of catteries is a rather vexed 

question, many famous breeders affirming that 

stock raised without it are healthier and 

harder ; others maintaining that a certain 

amount of heat is a necessity for producing a 

good coat. A very experienced breeder once 

told me the heaviest-coated kittens she ever 

bred were reared over some hot-water pipes, 

: 

n a temperature of 70 ! With adult cats 

having partial freedom and allowed to come 

into the house in severe weather, and 

with stud cats, I consider the no-heat plan 

decidedly the best ; but I do not think it 

possible to rear young stock during the colder 

part of the year in an outdoor cattery without 

artificial heat. It is the damp of the English 

winter which proves so fatal, and damp can- 

not be kept out of the very best constructed 

houses except by the admission of dry heat. 

Kittens that are cold will not play, and if 

you see them huddled together on a cold day 

looking listless and uneasy, instead of romping, 

be sure it is fire heat they need. 

A thermometer should hang in each house, 

and the heat be carefully regulated by that, a 

minimum of 48 and a maximum of 55 being 

suggested. In houses where a flue is practicable, 

a stove of the Tortoise pattern is to be 

recommended, but it needs a high guard around

it. For a long range of brick-built houses, an 

outside flue and boiler, with hot-water pipes 

running the length of the cattery, 

HOUSING OF CATS. 55 

would be 

found of most service, as it maintains an even 

and medium warmth throughout, keeps the 

building perfectly dry, 

and can be stoked with 

less trouble. In small 

wooden houses, very 

excellent results are 

given by the use of an 

oil stove with hot- 

water apparatus, such 

as are supplied for 

small greenhouses. 

The lamp will usually 

burn twenty -four hours without attention, 

is un-get-at-able by the cats, who can neither 

singe their tails nor knock it over during 

the wildest gambols, and if kept clean and 

looked to with care will not cause the slightest 

odour. A quart of paraffin in one of these 

oil stoves will burn 

twenty - four hours, 

and heat a building 12 

feet by 10 feet to 50. 

Now, in concluding 

this little discourse 

upon catteries, the 

final word of advice 

is always to remem- 

ber the importance 

of absolute cleanliness. 

There should never 

be the least offensive 

smell in the cattery, 

and if such be noticed 

on entering the 

houses in the morn- 

ing, discover the cause and remedy it at 

once. And do not rely solely upon disinfect- 

A LITTER BOX. 

A USEFUL CAT HOUSE. 

sote in any quantity, or carbolic, I do not 

approve of, except in cases of illness of an 

infectious type, when stronger measures are 

obligatory. 

Xo dirty food dishes, no unchanged water, 

no soil of any kind, 

should ever be left 

about on flooring or 

bedding. Let your 

cattery be kept 

as scrupulously clean 

and sweet as a hos- 

pital, then will your 

cats thrive and kittens 

be healthy and 

sturdy. 

Do not elect to start a cattery unless you 

yourself intend to bestow both time and 

trouble upon it. In this, as in every other 

occupation or hobby, the one golden rule 

" 

is, Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, 

do it with all thy might." 

APPLIANCES. 

In the preceding 

section on the cattery 

proper, I have 

not spoken of the 

very useful variety of 

portable houses 

which are now made 

a speciality of many 

firms, considering 

them more or less as 

accessories to the well 

appointed cattery. 

But in small town 

gardens, where space 

is valuable and it is 

not convenient to 

build a large permanent structure, it is quite 

possible to succeed ants to do this. Too frequently this is but 

extremely well when two 

or three cats only are kept by using these 

overcoming a bad smell by a stronger, the evil portable houses. remaining. A good and non-injurious disin- 

They also have the advan- 

tage of being removable and a " tenant's 

fectant should always be used in the water for fixture" in the event of leaving one's house, 

the daily cleansing of pans and floors, etc. A very good house is one built by 

Camphaleyne or Salubrene are both safe and Messrs. Boulton and Paul, of Norwich (see 

effective, but disinfectants that contain creo- illustration). It is a very pretty and well

designed structure, and would be exceedingly 

ornamental in a sheltered corner of the garden. 

In putting up, however, it should be stood 

upon brick piers 

from the ground, or the wooden flooring would 


to raise it at least four inches 

soon show damp. Cats kept in these small 

houses, it must be understood, should have 

their liberty at least a portion of every fine 

and dry day, the runs being wholly inadequate 

for a cat to be shut in continuously without 

further scope for exercise. 

Another illustration is a handy portable 

hutch, intended to be used chiefly in a house or 

room, although it is also convenient for penning 

young kittens out-of-doors on a sunny day. the 

wire run prevent- 

ing their straying 

away. It consists 

of a sleeping-box 

and small wire run 

hooked on, and 

can be made at 

the cost of a few 

shillings. 

The sleeping-box 

is 24 inches long 

by 17 inches wide 

and 22 inches high, 

is raised three 

inches from floor by a false bottom, and has 

a large door at back opening with a brass 

catch. In front, two side-pieces reduce the 

entry 

to 12 inches. A handle screwed on the 

top of the box is convenient for carrying. 

The run is 3 feet 6 inches by 24 inches-, made 

in four sections, two sides, top and end piece, 

all fitted and hooked together with i-inch 

mesh wire netting that it may be easily taken 

apart for carrying or storing away. It makes 

a useful sleeping-pen, too, for young toms that 

are inclined to quarrel together, and so have to 

be shut up separately at night. All the woodwork 

is stained and varnished, and a square 

of oilcloth laid on the floor of the sleeping-box. 

The next appliance to be considered is a 

somewhat gruesome adjunct to the cattery, 

and belongs to the darker side of our hobby. 

In spite of every care, illness and death must 

A POKTABLK HUTCH. 

enter now and again, when we are fain to retire 

worsted from the conflict with disease, and 

the wisest and kindest thing to do is to put 

our pet to sleep. The illustration given on 

the opposite page depicts a lethal box, as used 

at the Royal London Institution for Lost and 

Starving Cats at Camden Town, and is capable 

of holding twelve animals at a time. 

Mr. Ward, the well-known feline specialist 

of Manchester, has patented a lethal box 

of more moderate dimensions. Mr. Ward, 

not yet having an illustration of it, kindly 

writes me the description as follows : 

" The 

box inside is 15 inches by 12 inches by 

12 inches. A sheet of glass is inserted in the 

lid, so that the 

operator in a y 

watch the process. 

The vapour coal 

gas passed through 

chloroform enters 

through a tube at 

end. Two minutes 

is sufficient time." 

Fanciers, I 

think, will agree 

that this simple 

peace-giving box 

is not among the 

least of Mr. W'ard's kindly ministrations to the 

cats he loves so well. Few amongst us can 

bear to see unmoved the terrible last pains of 

a pet who in its days of health delighted us 

with its beauty. 

Feeding utensils we turn to next. For 

them nothing is more satisfactory than the 

unbreakable enamelled ware in white or blue 

except, perhaps, for the water pans, for 

which it is scarcely weighty enough, and it 

not infrequently happens that a gay and 

frolicsome company of kittens will knock 

against them, sending them spinning, and 

the water is spilt upon the floor. 

The circular, heavy glazed earthenware 

dishes, spittoon-shaped, and in- 

generally 

scribed " Pussy," are excellent, and cannot 

be overturned. 

Besides the plates and saucers for feeding,

let the cats have also a saucepan of their own, 

a deep stewpan-shaped one. of blue enamel, 

large enough to cook a sheep's head with 

biscuits. Cook will be far less prone to grum- 

ble at the necessary cooking for the cats I 

speak here of a small cattery, when no attendant 

is kept if her saucepans are not pressed 

into the service. 

But see that all are kept scrupulously clean, 

nothing " left over " 

in thesaucepan to become 

sour or tainted 

in hot weather ; 

and after each meal 

is cooked, the sauce- 

pin should be boiled 

out with soda and 

scoured clean. 

Earth tins. A 

great mistake made 

in these necessary 

items is having them 

too deep. I have 

seen an old zinc footbath 

supplied to two 

months old kittens 

with quite six inches 

of sawdust in it, and 

the owner wondered 

why 

she could not 

teach her kittens to 

be cleanly in their 

habits ! 

A 4 inch deep tray 

is quite deep enough, 

and this should not 

be tilled more than 

Uvn thirds full, or the cat rakes so much earth 

out on the floor. Neither do they require to 

be very large, as their weight when filled with 

soil makes them very cumbersome to move, 

and they get the more quickly knocked out of 

shape. The best size is about 17 inches by 

14 inches and 4 inches deep, made in stout 

galvanised iron, with a rim round the edge, 

and these might be painted some light colour 

with Aspinall's enamel paint. (I advocate 

" light paint." as any dirt stains are seen at 

HOUSING OF CATS. 57 

I.KTHAL CHAMUKK, ROYAL LONDON INSTITI'TION 

HOME FOR LOST AND STARVING CATS. 


once.) They will then last free from rust, and 

can be washed out every morning. Two or 

three tins of smaller size say, 12 inches by 

8 inches by 2 1- inches are suggested for kittens, 

or for placing in small pens in an emergency. 

Baking tins answer this purpose. 

After washing, it is well to stand these trays 

in the air to sweeten, as if they smell disagreeable 

the cats will not u~e them. 

Messrs. Whiteley 

supply these zinc 

tins, or they can be 

made by any local 

ironmonger to dimensions 

given. 

Hot - water appliances. 

These are 

very necessary in the 

cattery, and should 

by no means be for- 

gotten. 

Many 

a sick cat's 

life has been saved, 

and the critical 

corner in an illness 

turned, by the timely 

comfort and strength 

bestowed by the hotwater 

bottle or bag, 

or even a brick made 

hot in the oven and 

wrapped up. 

In the 

event of winter lit- 

ters, too, a hot-water 

bag should be always 

in readiness, in case 

it is advisable to 

remove the first-born kittens from the mother 

for a few hours. Heat will restore a seemingly 

dead kitten, as I have said before. The 

outside dwellers also, how they appreciate 

on a bitter winter's night the hot bottle or 

wrapped up hot brick to keep them cosy ! 

I know a luxurious stud cat who has a 

hot-water tin made to fit his sleeping box, 

which is filled by the maid every cold night and 

slid beneath his hay bed. Assuredly, there is 

no greater safeguard against winter's chills and

changes of temperature than to provide for 

your pets sleeping warmly and comfortably 

at night. The hot-bottle plan has many 

advantages over the heating of the sleeping 

houses by stove or lamp during the night. It 

is better for the animals themselves, as the air 

is not exhausted, 

and 

SPRATT'S TRAVELLING BASKET. 


they are not 

so prone to 

take a chill 

going from 

heated air to 

the outside 

rawness of 

a w i n t e r's 

morning. It 

is much safer, 

and it is also 

much more 

economical. 

Personally I prefer the indiarubber bag to 

the old-fashioned stone bottle, and in the 

smaller sizes (which are quite large enough) 

are not much more expensive than the latter. 

If not filled too full, and wrapped in a wash- 

able cover flannelette is very good it can 

be laid flat under the hay, and the cat will 

remain upon it all night. In the case of a 

sick cat the cover should always be of flannel, 

to avoid any chill as the bag grows colder. 

Then, in our list of appliances, proper travelling 

baskets must come under consideration. 

" " 

I say proper advisedly, for how hetero- 

geneous is the collection of hampers, .boxes, 

baskets I had almost added bundles one 

sees brought in by the officials during the re- 

ceiving hours before a big show ! Every 

variety of exactly 

package, very many of which are 

what they ought not to be. Some 

unnecessarily elaborate, polished wooden cases 

with brass fittings handsome and durable 

no doubt, but far too cumbersome, and by 

their very weight inflicting much jar on the 

occupant when moved about ; while others 

are a disgrace to anyone pretending to care 

about a cat or even to know what a cat is, 

many deserving to be straightway brought 

under the notice of the Society for the Pre- 

vention of Cruelty to Animals. 

I have seen big heavy cats jammed into 

margarine hampers, a thin wicker receptacle 

whose sides slope inwards like a flower-pot, 

where the animal must have suffered agonies 

of cramp in a veritable chamber of " little 

ease." Others are sent weary distances in 

shallow, rough grocery boxes with a few holes 

bored for ventilation, subject to be thrown 

about in transit, first on one side then oil the 

oth'er, the lid perchance nailed on, giving 

thereby much extra trouble to the penning 

officials. Little wonder if the cat arrives 

bruised, shaken, frightened nearly to death, 

and very probably wild and savage. 

Now, as evil is wrought bv want of thought 

(and common sense) as well as want of heart, 

I have thought it well to comment on these 

very wrong and stupid ways of sending our 

cats on their journeys before advising better 

arrangements. 

Here are two illustrations of excellent 

travelling baskets, which fulfil pretty nearly 

all requirements for cats travelling singly. 

The first is made by Messrs. Spratt, and 

has an inner skeleton lid, which is much to be 

recommended when sending a vicious or very 

timid cat that is likely to make a bolt on the 

basket being opened. 

The second, bee- 

hive shaped, is de- 

signed by Mrs. Paul 

Hardy, of Chobham. 

It is of strong white 

wicker, the lid fastening 

with a rim of 

about two inches 

deep over the body 

of the basket, apertures 

in the rim 

allowing 

the wicker 

A USEFUL CAT HASKET. 

loops of the fastenings to project ; when the 

cane stick is thrust through these the basket 

is absolutely secure not a paw can get out. 

This beehive shape has several advantages. 

The cat can stand up and stretch itself at ease, 

when tired of lying down. The handle being

1 

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5 

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X 

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tn 

o 

u 

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1

to THE BOOK OF THE CAT. 

at the apex, it is carried even by porters 

without the cat being tilted off its legs ; 

whilst 

the dome top prevents any other package being 

piled upon it a disadvantage the flat-typed 

hamper always has. I line my baskets outside 

with brown paper or oil baize up to the 

rim, and inside with curtaiji serge, leaving the 

lid free for ventilation. TTien, with plenty of 

hay at the bottom of the basket, the cat will 

travel from one end of England to the other in 

comfort and safety, with no danger of taking 

cold even if left about draughty platforms or 

in parcel offices. This basket is made by 

Messrs. Bull, of Guildford, at a very moderate 

cost, and lasts for years. 

These baskets are, of course, intended for 

one cat only, or a pair of kittens. A really 

safe and capable travelling arrangement for a 

litter with the mother has yet, I think, to be 

devised. I have seen none I think good. 

The double compartment hamper I much dis- 

like. The handles are perforce at each end, 

necessitating two carriers who never do it 

so the hamper is dragged by the porter or 

official with one end tilted (the other cat being 

nearly upside down), is leant up against other 

luggage, or dropped flat with a bang. \Vith 

young kittens inside this leads to fatalities. 

A label for the travelling basket seems an 

insignificant item to mention, but an efficient 

one is as important as that proverbial nail fcr 

whose absence the horse and the kingdom were 

lost. 

I have just made the acquaintance of a 

first-rate label, devised and sent out by a Mr. 

Foalstone, at sixpence per dozen, from the 

Aerefair Engineering Works, near Ruabon. It 

is a stout linen label, printed " Valuable Live 

Cat " in big block letters ; below is " Urgent " 

in red a good idea, red being more likely to 

attract the casual eye of the railway official. 

Spaces are left below for line of travel, via, etc., 

and date and time of despatch. It is revers- 

ible, so the sender can fill up witli the return 

address if necessary. I always prefer to fasten 

the label down at both ends, 

flat to the basket : 

it is less likely to be torn away than when left 

hanging loose from one eyelet. 

It is by due attention to the details that 

cat fanciers can to some extent mitigate the 

dangers and risks that must necessarily attend 

the transit of live stock by rail.

MONGST cat fanciers there is a laudable 

ambition not only to breed good stock 

but to exhibit it. Certainly 

6i 

WAKING BKACTIKS. 

(Pholo: Mrs. S. F. Clarke.-; 

CHAPTER V. 

EXHIBITING. 

there is 

vastly more gratification and satisfaction in 

obtaining high honours for cats and kittens 

that we have bred ourselves, rather than for 

those specimens which money has purchased. 

If we consider that our cats have sufficiently 

entered for 

good points to merit their being 

a show, we must bear in mind that all the 

beauty and form and feature will be thrown 

away unless our pussies are in good show 

condition. For exhibition purposes condition 

means everything, and this is more especially 

the case with the long-haired breeds. A 

first-class specimen whose coat is ragged and 

matted cannot fail to suffer in the judges' 

estimation when compared with another 

cat, of inferior quality perhaps as regards 

points, but yet in the pink of condition, with 

its coat well groomed, its eye bright, its fur 

soft and silky. 

In the present day many of the 

sp imens penned are so close together in point 

of breed merit that a very little turns the scale 

one way or the other. I have often said to 

myself, when judging a class of cats, "This 

exhibit would be a winner but for its condi- 

tion," and I have had to put it down in the 

list. There is no doubt that with long-haired 

cats a fine full coat will cover a multitude of 

sins, but it cannot alter a long nose or pool- 

shape and bad-coloured eye ; and in urging 

the importance of condition, I at the same time 

deprecate the awarding of prizes to cats that 

have nothing to recommend them but their 

pelage. Seeing, therefore, that a handsome 

specimen may go to the wall for the lack of 

attention on the part of the owner, it behoves 

all cat 1 

fanciers and would-be exhibitors to do 

everything in their power to make their cats 

look their very best, so that their pets may be 

things of beauty in the show pen. 

In the dog, 

rabbit, and pigeon fancy a great deal more 

attention is given to condition than amongst 

cat fanciers, who need waking up to the fact 

that nothing goes so far to propitiate a judge 

as superb show form and general good appearance. 

There may be standards of points for 

the guidance of the awards, but assuredly a 

common-sense judge will look with disfavour 

on a specimen with excellence of breed and 

correct colour of eye if his coat is draggled and


matted, his tail dirty, and his fur soiled. We 

have only to run our minds back to the various 

exhibits of well-known fanciers at our large 

shows, and we shall find that the most persistently 

successful exhibitors have been those 

who have sent their cats to the shows in the 

best condition. Some fanciers, wishing to 

help on entries at a show, will exhibit their 

Persian cats when quite out of coat. This is 

a mistake ; send your entry money if you like 

to the secretary, but keep your coatless cats at 

home. As regards the short-haired breeds, 

these cats should have coats with a gloss and 

brilliancy like that of a well-groomed horse, 

shining like satin ; a spiky appearance in the 

fur denotes poor condition in both long and 

short breeds. 

In getting cats ready for exhibition owners 

should look to their comforts in every way. 

Their houses and beds should be kept clean, 

their coats combed and brushed daily. At- 

tention shouid be paid to their ears, for if these 

are neglected a cat will continually scratch 

them, and thus injure its appearance by tearing 

out its fur. Some fanciers are in favour 

of washing their cats, but when we take into 

consideration the usually delicate constitutions 

of Persian cats, and the restless, impatient 

nature of these animals, it behoves us to try 

to find some other effectual means of cleansing 

their coats, which in the case of white and 

silver cats are naturally easily soiled. Experience 

has taught me that very good results can 

be obtained by damping the coats with a soft 

cloth dipped in a weak solution of ammonia 

and water. Follow this up by rubbing some 

white powder into the fur and well fingering 

the parts that are at all greasy. Pears' white 

precipitated fuller's earth is the best preparation, 

and is perfectly harmless. To clean away 

the powder use a fairly soft brush, and after 

this process has been gone through several 

times your cat will be fit for show. Another 

method of cleaning long-haired cats is to 

heat a quantity of bran in the oven. Put it 

into a large bowl or footbath, and stand the 

puss in it. Rub the hot bran well amongst the 

fur for some minutes, and afterwards carefully 

brush it out. This treatment will give a soft 

and silky appearance to the coat, but for light- 

coloured cats the powder is more cleansing. 

Cats require to be educated to the show pen, 

and it is very necessary in some cases to give 

a course of training. For this purpose it is 

well to obtain a similar pen to those used at 

shows, and to place your puss in this for an 

hour or two daily. In time he will learn to 

come and sit and look out of his temporary 

prison, and when lie makes his d/'but he will 

not spoil his chances by crouching at the back 

of the show pen, or vex his would-be admirers, 

have recourse to the use of an um- 

who may 

brella or stick to make the exhibit move into 

a more convenient and conspicuous position. 

have decided to 

Taking it for granted you 

send your cat to a show, the first step is to 

register 

show is to be held. At present the National 

it in the club under whose rules the 

Cat Club and the Cat Club both require 

separate registration, the charge being one 

shilling. It is, however, to be hoped 

that the 

earnest wish of all cat fanciers and exhibitors 

will ere long be fulfilled, and that one register 

will be kept by an independent person, so that 

pedigrees can be verified and mistakes rectified, 

and the confusion caused by a double registration 

will cease to worry and perplex the 

cat-loving community. Registration forms 

are supplied by the secretaries of the respective 

clubs, and you must fill in the particulars of 

your cats as set forth on the forms, a sample 

of which is here given, together with the regis- 

tration rules of the National Cat Club : 

REGISTRATION. 

The registration rules of the National Cat Club are 

as follow : 

I. Every Cat exhibited at a show under National Cat Club 

Rules must (except such as are exhibited exclusively in Local 

Classes, or exhibited in Classes exclusively for litters of 

kittens), previous to the time of entry for such show, have 

been entered in a registry kept by the National Cat Club at 

their offices. A charge of is. each shall be made for registration. 

In such registry shall be inserted the name and 

breed of the cat, and its breeder's name, the date of birth, 

names of sire and dam, and of grand-sires and grand-dams, 

and if the dam was served by two or more cats their several 

names must be stated. If the age, pedigree, or breeder's 

name be not known the cat must be registered as breeder,

age or pedigree " unknown," any or all, as the case may be. 

If the name of a cat be changed, or an old name re-assumed, 

such cat must be again registered and identified before 

exhibition in its altered name. 

2. A name which has been duly registered in accordance 

with Rule i cannot be again accepted for registration of a cat 

of the same breed, without the addition of a distinguishing 

number, prefix, or affix, for a period of five years, calculated 

from the first day of the year next after the one in which 

the name was last registered ; but the name of a cat after 

publication in "Our Cats" and the Stud Book, or which has 

become eligible for free entry therein, cannot again be 

assumed. 

N.13. The name of a cat that has become eligible for free 

entry in the Stud Booh in any year shall not be changed after 

the 3ist of December of that year. 

Cats do not receive a number on registration. Numbers 

are only assigned to Prize Winners or cats entered in the 

Stud Book on its publication, on payment of a fee of Five 

Shillings, in addition to One Shilling for registration. 

The application for registration must be made on a 

form as follows : 

XIMDKK OK BREED AS PER LIST IN MARGIN _COLOUR 

I wish to register the following (Sex) by the name of 

Previously registered by the name of 

Signature af Oancr 

(Mr., Mrs. or Miss) 

Address 

LATE OWNER (if any) 

SIRE I G. SIRE 

OWNER 01- SIKE DAM 

DAM 

OWNER OF DAM 

DATE OF BIRTH 

NAME & ADDRESS OF BREEDER 

} G. SlRE_ 

_JG. DAM_ 

NOTE. If this name cannot be registered, I select one of the 

following, and nama them in the order named : 

Only one cat must bo entered on one form, which 

must be forwarded with a remittance of one shilling to 

-Mrs. A. Stennard Robinson, Hon. Sec., at 5, Great 

James Street, Bedford Row, London, W.C. 

(i) 

EXHIBITING. 

The various varieties as recognised by the Club are 

as follow : 

SHORT-HAIRED CATS. 

1. SIAMESE. 

2. BLUE. 

3. MANX. 

4. FOREIGN. 

5. TABBY. 

6. SPOTTED. 

7. BICOLOUR. 

8. TRICOLOUR. 

Q. TORTOISKSHELL. 

10. BLACK. 

11. WHITE. 

12. SABLE. 

13. TICKS. 

14. ABYSSINIAN. 

LONG-HAIRED CATS. 

15. BLACK. 

16. WHITE. 

17. BLUE. 

18. ORANGE. 

19. CREAM. 

20. SABLE. 

21. SMOKE. 

22. TABBY. 

23. SPOTTED. 

24. CHINCHILLA. 

25. TORTOISESHELL. 

26. BlCOLOUR. 

27. TRICOLOUR. 

It will be seen that you are requested to 

give more than one name, and it is very 

desirable in the first instance to select an 

uncommon one, which may be considered your 

cat's exhibition title, but you will doubtless 

have some short pet name for home use. A 

prefix, probably 

the name of the town or 

village in which you live, can be used to 

specially identify your cat. For this an 

extra charge is made. It is well to fill 

in the pedigree as far as possible, and every 

exhibitor should strive to obtain correct 

particulars of date of birth and name of breeder 

of 'the cat to be exhibited. It is a pity to 

label your cat " unknown," if with a small 

amount of trouble exact details can be ob- 

tained. At any rate, it is important to 

state the names of the two parents. The 

age of kittens should be counted by months 

that is, say, from the 2Oth to the 20th. 

Having registered your cat, you receive a 

notification of such registration, and whether 

to exhibit or not it is 

you are intending 

very necessary and advisable that your cat 

should be duly registered in at least one of 

the parent clubs. 

A separate fee is charged for each cat or 

kitten in each class, and the amount must be 

forwarded at the same time as the entry is 

made. The following is a copy of the entry 

form used at the Cat Club's Show at Brighton 

in 1901, and I may mention that the fee for 

registration has since been raised from 6d. 

to is. :

6 4 THE BOOK OF THE CAT. 

ENTRIES CLOSE MONDAY, NOVEMBER 4th, igoi. 

BRIGHTON CHAMPIONSHIP SHOW OF THE CAT CLUB, 

TO BE HKLD AT 

MELLISOVS HALL, WEST STREET, BRIGHTON, 

ON WEDNESDAY AND THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 13 AND i 4TH, 1901, 

Under the Exhibition Rules of The Cat Club. 

RULE AS TO REGISTRATION OF NAMES OF CATS AND KITTENS. 

Every Cat or Kitten exhibited at a Show under The Cat Club Exhibition Rules MUST 

be Registered at the Cat Club. Fee 6d. 

Every Cat or Kitten which may have changed ownership since Registration MUST, 

before Exhibition, be Transferred to its new owner in the books of The Cat Club, 

Fee One Shilling. 

To change the name of a Cat or Kitten, when allowable, the fee is One Shilling. 

See The Cat Club Exhibition Rules, Nos. i to 6, in the Schedule. 

CERTIFICATE OF ENTRY. 

E f)U'fbj_)

a double pen 

for their cats. It is not usual 

for the secretary of a show to send a receipt 

for entries and fees, as the tallies and labels 

which are forwarded later serve as an acknow- 

ledgment for these. When by any chance 

labels, etc., are not received in time to be 

used by exhibitors, or they are lost or mis- 

laid, then the hampers should be addressed 

to the secretary of the show, and a note of 

explanation enclosed. The entry can then 

be looked up, and the pen number discovered. 

If cats are entered in joint names, then it is 

desirable that the owners should let the secretary 

know to whom to send the labels and 

tallies, as if these are only forwarded a day 

or two before the show to the partner who 

does not keep the cat, complications may 

arise. If litter classes are provided at a show, 

it is well for the intending exhibitor to send 

the whole litter, as the number of the family 

EXHIBITING, 

is taken into consideration in 

judging, and 

perhaps a large litter of six may take over a 

smaller litter of three, even though the 

quality 

of the trio is in advance of the larger family. 

As regards pairs of kittens, I would say select 

two kittens as near alike as possible in colour, 

size, and quality ; they need not be of the 

same litter, but it is as a " pair " they will be 

judged, 

RICHMOND CAT SHOW : ARRANGEMENT OF TENTS. 

(Photo: Cassell & Compan", Limited.) 

so if one exhibit is much inferior to 

its fellow then the value of the pair is seriously 

diminished. A defective eye or damaged tail 

will tell against a cat or kitten in the show 

pen, therefore it is useless to throw away 

entry fees upon these blemished, though perchance 

dearly loved, creatures. 

The question of ribbons to suit the colours 

of the various cats is one deserving of con- 

sideration. Many exhibitors make the mistake 

of using broad ribbons and making very 

big bows, but both long and short haired


cats present a neater appearance with narrow 

ribbons, and the bow should be stitched in the 

centre, so that it cannot come undone and thus 

give a dishevelled appearance to the puss. 

The metal tallies will hang more gracefully 

roimd the neck if a slip ring is ran through 

the hole of the tally and then the ribbon is 

put through the ring. Cushions and hangings 

for the pens are not at all desirable, even 

if they are permitted. They collect germs 

and become offensive, and moreover it is 

much better that all exhibits should be placed 

on the same footing namely, a bed of hay 

or straw. 

If owners are unable to accompany their 

exhibits to the show, 

it is more than ever 

necessary that secure, comfortable, and safe 

travelling boxes or hampers should be used 

for the transit of the cats. It is not advisable, 

nor is it generally allowable, for more than one 

cat to be sent in a hamper to a show. 

The question of hampers and travelling 

appliances has been dealt with in a previous 

chapter, but I would earnestly impress upon 

exhibitors not to send their cats away on 

journeys, long or short, in tumble-down 

hampers and unsafe packing cases. Whether 

hampers or boxes, I would here suggest that 

whichever is used let the fasteners be secure 

and yet easy to manipulate. Straps should 

be attached to the box or hamper, as in the 

confusion and hurry of show work these, if 

left loose, may get mislaid. The labels should 

be so arranged that they may be conveniently 

turned over for the return journey, where, 

on the reverse side, ought to be the owner's 

name and full address. It is most important 

that these should be distinctly written. I 

recommend all exhibitors to insure their cats 

when sending them to a show. The charge 

is 3d. for every i, and having paid our money 

we take our chance, which is perhaps a less 

hazardous one than if this precaution had 

been neglected. 

The arrangements, or rather want of ar- 

rangements, as regards the transit of live stock 

on our railways leave much to be desired, and 

therefore it behoves fanciers and exhibitors 

who value their cats for their own sakes and 

for their intrinsic worth, to do all in their power 

to mitigate the discomforts of a journey and 

the risks that must necessarily attend the 

conveyance of live stock by rail. Some fanciers 

make it a rule never to exhibit unless they 

themselves can take and bring back their 

cats, and though this necessarily entails a 

great .deal of trouble and some expense, yet 

there is an immense satisfaction in feeling our 

pets are under our own supervision. There 

is also an advantage in penning your own 

cats, and if you arm yourself with a brush and 

comb you are able to give some finishing 

touches to pussy's toilet previous to the judges' 

inspection and awards. Let me recommend 

a metal comb, and a brush such as is used for 

Yorkshire terriers, which has long penetrating 

bristles, but is neither too hard nor too soft. 

Disqualification of cats or kittens at shows 

may arise from various causes. First, if the 

cat has not been registered, or if it can be 

proved 

possession 

that the animal has not been in the 

of the exhibitor for fourteen days 

before the show, or if a wrong pedigree has 

been given, or the date of birth of a kitten 

is incorrect. Any attempt at " faking " will 

disqualify an exhibit, and in some cases the 

too free use of powder on white and silver cats 

is a disqualification in the eyes of some judges. 

Exhibitors have been known to dye the chins 

of tabby cats and treat white spots on selfcoloured 

cats in the same manner. Such 

" 

faking," as it is popularly called, is always 

risky, as well as a most undesirable operation, 

and if resorted to ought not to be passed over 

by a judge who might detect the artifice and 

yet lack the moral courage to expose the 

offender. Let me warn exhibitors against 

the evil practice of over feeding their cats 

at shows. It is so much better for a cat 

to starve for two days than to overload its 

stomach with the plentiful supplies brought 

by an over-anxious exhibitor. The sanitary 

arrangements at present existing at cat shows 

do not allow of such a course, and if one meal 

of raw meat and plenty of fresh water is supplied 

by the show authorities pussy will fare

MRS. GREGORY'S " SKELLIXGTHORPE PATRICK." 

(Photo : . W. J. Smith, Lincoln.) 

much better than being stuffed with a variety 

of dainties brought in paper bags. 

Whilst the inmates of your cattery are 

attending shows it is a good opportunity to 

give an extra cleansing and airing to their 

houses, and on their return be careful to 

destroy the hay or straw contained in the 

hampers or boxes, and thoroughly disinfect 

these, leaving them out in the open air for a 

day or two before packing them away. It 

is generally advisable to give a slight aperient 

to grown cats after they come back from a 

show, for it often happens that these cleanly 

creatures refuse to make use of the scanty 

accommodation provided for them in the 

show pens, and thus complications may arise 

unless attention is paid to their wants on 

their return. If many cats are kept, and 

some are sent to a show, on no account allow 

these to mix with your other animals on their 

return. It is a wise precaution to keep then 

apart for a few days, more especially if you 

have young kittens to consider. 

The prize cards should be returned in the 

hampers when sent back to exhibitors. If 

these are soiled or broken on their arrival, 

a request to the secretary asking for fresh 

ones will probably be attended to. 

Every member of a cat club and exhibitor at 

EXHIBITING. 67 

a show has a right to lodge a complaint with 

the secretary and committee of the club under 

whose rules the show is held, if an injustice 

has been done to an exhibit in the opinion 

of the exhibitor. According to the rules a 

deposit has to be paid, which can be reclaimed 

unless the complaint is considered " frivolous." 

Show promoters cannot afford to give their 

money away without some return or provisional 

stipulation, and therefore fanciers 

must not complain if when a class does not 

fill it is either amalgamated or only half the 

advertised prize money is given. This latter 

plan is by far the more satisfactory. 

There has 

probably never been a show of any live stock 

held where complete satisfaction has been 

given ; but, generally speaking, " grumbling " 

is a most mistaken and pernicious habit, and 

exhibitors should strive to become good losers. 

If they cannot learn this lesson, then the 

remedy remains in their own hands, and they 

had better keep their cats at home rather 

than run the risk of being disappointed them- 

selves and of causing unpleasantness to others. 

If a judgment is obviously wrong, then the 

triumph is with the best cat, and we should 

take our defeat in a sportsmanlike manner. 

In July, 1902, a cat section in connec- 

tion with the annual dog show was held in 

the Old Deer Park, Richmond. This proved 

a great success, and entries numbered over 

three hundred. A 

fdw words in de- 

scription of this 

show may be ap- 

propriate here, 

especially 

in view of 

" INQUIRY. 

(Photo : Mrs. S. F. Clarke.)


the photographs (specially taken) which illus- 

trate this chapter. 

Its chief features were the twenty-five 

entries in the litter classes and the ring 

class for neuters only. Objection is often 

made to litter classes, and yet these are 

certainly the most attractive. I think that 

double pens should be provided, and special 

food ought to be supplied for the little ones. 

It stands to reason that very young kittens 

cannot be fed like the grown cats, and it is only 

natural that if big pieces of meat are thrust 

into the pen for the mother the hungry little 

creatures will make a rush for it. They bolt 

down the hard lumps, and these remain un- 

digested 

in their tender little stomachs. It is 

not to be wondered at if gastritis, inflamma- 

tion, and other distressing ailments supervene. 

It is much better to let the mother do with- 

out her usual meat rations and content her- 

self with good, nourishing baby food, such as 

Mellin's or Ridge's, rather than run the risk 

of providing her with such which will injure 

her little kittens. With ordinary supervision 

no evil consequences should ensue from the 

introduction of litter classes, especially at 

a one day show. It is not, however, advis- 

able to have litter classes at shows held during 

the winter months. But in perfect, warm 

weather no fatalities will be reported. Cer- 

tainly the mothers with their families prove 

a great attraction, and as woollen balls, at- 

tached from the top of the pens, are provided 

for the amusement of the kittens, they de- 

light 

themselves and their audience with -their 

playful frolics. 

The ring class for neuters only was an inno- 

vation and proved very successful, and although 

some of these pet pussies declined to show 

themselves off to the best advantage, yet 

they did not " go " for each other as is sometimes 

the case when .the males are within 

measurable distance of each other. The illus- 

tration given is from a photo specially taken 

for this work, and shows the judges deliberat- 

ing on the respective merits of the neuter cats. 

On this occasion a famous Blue Persian owned 

by Madame Portier carried off the honours. 

He behaved very well on the lead, and his 

grand shape and wonderful coat made him 

an easy first. 

Another illustration shows the judges at 

work awarding the special prizes, which in 

many cases have to be decided conjointly. 

Miss Frances Simpson and Mr. C. A. House are 

comparing notes and determining which of the 

first prize kittens is deserving of the special 

for the best in the show. On this occasion 

Mrs. Bennet, a well-known breeder of Blue 

Persians, was awarded the coveted prize. 

A general view of one of the rows of pens 

is given, but on this particular occasion no 

covering was supplied for the benching, and, 

therefore, the aspect of the show pens leaves 

much to be desired. The travelling baskets 

being placed under the pens, these should be 

hidden from the public gaze in order to give 

a neat and tidy appearance to the show. The 

best material for this purpose is red baize. 

The custom of allowing exhibitors to pen their 

own cats enables them to give their pussies 

a final brush up before they are subjected to 

the critical examination of the judge. Our 

illustration represents Mrs. Peter Brown, a 

well-known breeder of Blue Persians, attending 

to the toilet of her beautiful " Bunch," who 

on this occasion repeated her successes at 

the Botanic Gardens, and carried off the 

highest honours in the Blue Female Persian 

class (see page 73). And now to pass on to 

another portion of our subject. 

JUDGING. 

A standard of points for all long and short 

haired cats was drawn up by a sub-committee 

of the Cat Club, of which I was a member ; 

but since specialist 

clubs have come into 

existence, having each their own list of points, 

nothing much has been seen or heard of the 

Cat Club's standard. It is just as well to 

have some definite lines upon which fanciers 

and exhibitors may base their ideas, and so 

aim at, if they cannot attain to, the height 

of perfection set forth in these standards. 

They are really not meant for judges, because 

I venture to assert that a judge is no judge

RICHMOND CAT SHOW : JUDGES 

AT WORK. 

(I'hoto : Cassell & Company, Limited.)


if he requires anything besides his own per- 

sonal conviction, experience, and common 

sense when called upon to decide the various 

points in the different breeds. A good judge 

of old china will not search for the mark to 

know whether the is specimen Chelsea or 

Worcester. He will tell you "it is marked 

all over" that is. he knows a good bit of 

stuff, even if it should not have the gold 

anchor of Chelsea or the square mark of 

Worcester ware. So it is with a good allround 

cat. It appeals at once to the eye of 

the connoisseur, just as a worthless specimen 

is at once put out of the ranks of winners. 

It is the greatest error not to have thorough 

confidence in oneself when undertaking to 

judge cats, or, in fact, in judging any animal, 

or any thing. No one should undertake to 

judge if they wish to seek the counsel of others. 

The}' must have the courage of their own 

convictions, and, although some amount of 

training may be required, I think that judges 

are born, not made and ; people who have not 

a keen power of observation and a faculty 

of coming rapidly to a fixed conclusion can 

never hope to become satisfactory or competent 

judges. There are many cat fanciers 

on whose judgment of a cat I should implicitly 

rely, and who know a good specimen when 

they see it, but if placed before a row of twenty 

or thirty cats of a breed they seem to 

lose their heads and get hopelessly confused, 

and then the reporter says, " We could not 

follow the awards." There is no doubt that 

judges of cats are severely handicapped. 

Firstly, cats are such terribly timid, shrinking 

animals that when dragged out of their 

pens with great difficulty for the doors are 

most inconveniently small they often struggle 

so violently that, for fear of hurting the 

animal or of its escaping, the judge will swiftly 

restore it to its resting place without having 

obtained much satisfaction from his cursory 

examination. Unless judging pens are provided, 

there is really no chance of making 

fair comparisons between two cats which may 

appear of almost equal merit. How is a judge 

to decide on the form of limbs and general 

build of a cat when holding it in his arms or 

seeing it huddled up at the back of its pen ? 

An agitation is now on foot for having cats 

judged in a ring, and, no doubt, in time this 

will be the order of the day at our shows ; 

but fanciers will have to train up their cats 

in the way they should go namely, when 

quite young they mus't be accustomed to a 

lead and also be constantly brought out 

amongst strangers. As an example, I would 

refer to the starting gate recently introduced 

into this country on the racecourse. It was 

no use to attempt it for the old stagers, but 

trainers soon accustomed the two-year-olds 

to the innovation, and I believe many, if not 

all, the objectors are now converted to the 

new system of starting racehorses. 

In judging a class, I first go round and mark 

the absent cats ; then I note down those that 

could not under any circumstances take a 

prize. If there is a large class say, of twenty 

to thirty specimens I mark off all poor and 

seedy-looking 

cats until the number is re- 

duced to about eight or ten ; then I begin to 

search for the winners. At this point I take 

out each specimen, and, if no judging pen is 

provided, I get someone to assist me, and 

by bringing out two cats at a time I can make 

comparisons and note down any remarks in 

book for further reference. It often 

my 

happens that one particular cat will stand 

out prominently from all the rest in a class, 

and then there is no difficulty about the first 

award. It is always well to give a " reserve " 

and to distribute but not too freely the 

V.H.C., H.C., and C. cards. It does not do 

to make these too cheap, and scatter them 

be awarded 

all over the class. V.H.C. might 

to a cat in splendid coat, but which failed in 

head and eyes ; H.C. to another specimen 

with hardly any coat and poor head, but 

correct in eye ; and C. to a promising young- 

ster without any serious fault, only with no 

striking point of merit. A good judge must 

thus weigh the pros and cons and have a 

reason to give himself or anyone else for each 

degree of merit, from first prize to the humble 

C. And here I would mention that there is

a nice and a very nasty way for an exhibitor 

to question a judge's award. To be attacked 

suddenly with the query, " Why have you 

not given ray cat a prize ? 

" is quite enough 

to make a judge retire into his shell and refuse 

any explanation ; but if asked to kindly give 

a reason why a certain animal has failed to 

win, and to explain why one specimen, appar- 

ently a fine cat, should be lower than another, 

I am sure any judge would gladly give the 

inquirer the benefit of his larger experience 

and the reason for his awards. It is a mistake 

for a judge to distribute the full complement 

of prizes in a class when and where the /ex- 

hibits are not possessing of sufficient merit. 

A first prize cat should be a good specimen of 

its kind, and it is much better to withhold this 

award than to give it to a poor representative 

of his breed. It also reflects discredit on a 

EXHIBITING. 

ludge, for an exhibitor wishing to boast of 

his honours may publish that his " Tommy 

Atkins " took first under so-and-so, when 

perhaps there were only two cats in the class. 

It is quite legitimate for a judge to ask permission 

of the show authorities to award an 

extra prize in a large class with several fine 

specimens ; and if he has withheld others in 

a poor and badly filled class then there is no 

extra burden put on to the funds of the club. 

A great deal should be left to the discretion 

of the judge, and in the matter of special 

prizes, if one is offered for, say, the best longhaired 

white cat, and only one or two specimens 

are on show, and these are neither of them 

good types of tin's breed, then the judge should 

be empowered to withhold the prize. Such 

a course may be an unpopular one, but I am 

TYPE OF CAGE AT THE RICHMOND CAT SHOW. 

{Photo : Cassell & Company, Limited.) 

sure it is the correct and fairest one, for it is 

a farce to award first prize and specials to an 

inferior animal just because he happens to be 

without other competitors. Anyone who has 

judged the large classes of blues and silvers 

which now appear at our principal shows will 

bear me out in my suggestion that such classes, 

numbering perhaps thirty and more exhibits, 

should be subdivided according to age. Such 

an arrangement would be welcomed by judge 

and exhibitor alike. 

Show in 1901 the 

At the Crystal Palace 

blue kittens numbered 

thirty-nine in the class, male and female, the 

age limit being three to eight months. How 

could a judge be expected to satisfactorily

MK. C. A HOUSE, 

EDITOR OF " FUR AND FEATHER." 

(Photo: A. & G. Taylor.) 

award three prizes in such a huge class ? And 

I know that many superb specimens 


on this 

occasion had to be content with a V.H.C. card, 

which it would have gone to my heart as a 

judge to place on their pen. 

If there is a prize offered for the best cat in 

the show, the judge or judges have not to consider 

which is their favourite breed or which 

is the most fashionable colour, but just which 

cat is the best possible type, which specimen 

is the nearest perfection, and which is exhibited 

in the best all-round show condition. In longhaired 

classes the length and quality of' coat 

and fulness of ruff go a long way towards a 

high place in the awards, and, as I have before 

remarked, condition is a most important factor 

in the judges' estimation. In the self-coloured 

classes of blues and blacks a judge should 

make diligent search for white spots on throat 

or stomach. Formerly cats thus blemished 

were relegated to the "any other" class, but 

it has been wisely decided by both clubs that 

cats with white spots should be judged in their 

own classes, and that this defect should count 

as a point or points against them. This is as 

it should be, for to place self-coloured cats in 

an " any other colour " class seems absurd. They 

are black and blue cats in spite of a few white 

hairs, and should be judged as such. They 

may never aspire to a first prize, at any rate 

at a large show ; but surely a really fine black 

or blue cat, with correct eyes, grand head, and 

good shape, even with the unfortunate spot, 

should and ought to score over a poor specimen 

with green eyes and long nose. In the tabby 

classes a judge will first consider the groundwork 

and markings, and to these premier points 

special attention should be given, as there is 

a tendency to breed tabby cats which are 

barred only on heads and legs, the body mark- 

blurred and indistinct. It is not 

ings being 

unlikely that in due time the "any other colour" 

class will no longer form part of the classifica- 

tion at our large shows. Formerly 

this used 

to be the largest class of any, but nowadays the- 

entries are becoming small and beautifully less. 

It is not worth while for a fancier to keep these 

specimens they do not fetch any price, they 

are not valuable as breeders, and it is quite a 

toss up whether they can win in such a mixed 

company. I remember the time when blues 

were entered in the " any other colour " class, 

and when blue tabbies were more numerous 

MR. T. Ii. MASON. 

(Photo: C. L. Eastlake, Leeits.)

than silvers or blues. It is really a most diffi- 

cult task for a judge to give his awards at a 

local show where all sorts and conditions of 

cats are placed in the one class. Such an 

arrangement is good for neither man nor beast. 

And then, again, at our large shows it behoves 

a judge to be very level-headed to cope with 

the numerous brace, team, and novice classes, 

for one cat may be entered in all these, be- 

sides being in the open cat and kitten class ; 

and woe betide the unfortunate judge who 

makes a slip, for the wrath of the exhibitor 


THK TOILET. 

MRS. PETER BROWN AND HER PRIZE CAT. 


and the sarcasm of the reporter will be poured 

out upon him. No doubt it is a grave mistake 

to reverse one's own awards, and yet judges 

are but mortal, and " to err is human." It 

is hard when cat fanciers take to judging the 

judges and their judgments. A judge may be 

absolutely ignorant of the owners of the cats, 

and thus utterly unbiased ; yet there will not 

be wanting those who will pick holes in their 

characters, and see in their awards clear proof 

of personal spite and party favour. The in- 

tense suspiciousness of some fanciers and the


readiness with which they impute low motives 

to others is greatly to be deplored. 

I will here quote from an article by Mr. C. A. 

House, the 

live stock. 

well-known editor and judge of 

" 

Under the heading of The 

Judging of Cats," Mr. House says: "All my 

awards are based on the idea that each breed 

possesses 

a distinctive fea.- 

ture, and that distinctive 

feature must be the one to 

which most consideration 

is given. After the chief 

features come others, such 

as shape, coat, colour, etc., 

and the premier awards 

should be given to cats 

possessing 

the best all- 

round properties. . . . 

Selfs, above all things, 

should be pure in colour. 

For instance, a blue should 

be blue, and a black, black. 

Yet a little rustiness of 

colour should not be al- 

lowed to outweigh a host 

of other good properties. 

Colour, however, is hard 

to breed rich and pure, 

and should at all times be 

more highly valued 

' 

than 

size, or even coat. The 

same with markings. Only 

those who have tried to 

breed markings know how 

difficult it is to get them 

lising to the breeder. Summing up the matter, 

my own opinion is, and has been for years, that 

the cat fancy has been hindered and hampered 

by judges judging the exhibits because they 

belong to so-and-so, or had won so-and-so 

under so-and-so. ... I was much amused 

at one incident at Westminster where a big 

champion had suffered defeat. The fair owner 

was heckling the judge, and he in reply to her 

remarks made this answer : 

' 

It makes no 

difference to me had the cat belonged to the 

Queen herself ; I should then have done the 

same. I don't judge cats on what they have 

previously won or because they belong to any 

particular person. I judge them on their 

form at the time, and it makes no difference 

to me if a cat has won fifty firsts or none at 

all.' This reply was more 

than the exhibitor had 

bargained for, but all 

honest-minded fanciers 

must acknowledge the 

judge was right. What is 

sadly needed in the cat 

fancy to-day 

this sturdy, unflinching 

is more of 

determination to judge 

cats and not their owners. 

Cat exhibitors have 

much to learn yet, and 

the sooner the morale of 

the judging arena is raised 

the more healthy will the 

fancy become and the 

more quickly will it ad j 

vance." 

Another of our wellknown 

judges, Mr. T. B. 

Mason, writing on the same 

subject, says:- "In my 

judging engagements I 

have very often come 

across exhibits with good 

coloured eyes, but not the 

anything approaching perfection. 

Nothing is more 

fleeting than marking, and BLUE' PERSIAN KITTENS 

(Photo: Mrs. S. F. Clarke.) 

correct shape. A small eye, 

however good the colour 

may be, will give the cat 

nothing more tanta- a disagreeable, sour expression. With this shape 

of eye we generally see a narrow, long face, 

which should keep any exhibit out of the prize 

list in good competitions. Let it, however, be 

clearly understood, I do not want eyes to have 

undue weight in the general conditions of cat 

judging ; 

but they are important, and as such 

ought to have due and careful attention at 

the hands of breeders and judges alike. Two 

things in the judging of short-hairs weigh 

heavily with me, namely, pale colours and

light-marked 

heads and white lips. 

These defects, in my opinion, ought to 

put out of the money those that possess 

them in good competition. 

I perfectly 

agree 

ards. 

with Mr. House about the stand- 

They are useful both to the breeder 

but for the judge to take the 

and judge ; 

standards and try to judge by them at 

any show would be foolish indeed. All 

judges are expected to know the varieties 

they are called upon to judge, and to 

have the faculty to weigh up the good 

points and defects of the specimens before 

them, and place them accordingly." 

MANAGEMENT OF SHOWS. 

Now to turn our attention to the management 

of shows, and upon this question I feel 

I am fairly competent to give an opinion, as I 

and as show 

have acted as show manager 

secretary to some of our largest exhibitions 

in London and at Brighton. The office is 

indeed no sinecure, and very few fanciers, 

exhibitors, or visitors have any idea of the 

enormous amount of forethought required, to 

say nothing of physical and secretarial labours, 

to make a big show run smoothly. The re- 

sponsibility also is great, 

for a conscientious 

KITS WITH A TASTE FOK FLOWERS. 


EXHIBITING, 75 

TWO KITTKXS BRED BY MISS WILLIAMS. 

(I'lwto : H. Jenkins, Lovesto/t.) 

manager 

temporary possession, of which he has, so to 

feels he has valuable live stock in his 

speak, to render up account. There are many 

mixed shows held throughout the country 

where a cat section is given, and it is to be 

regretted that in most, 

poor pussies are badly provided for and 

generally go to the wall. At a dog and cat 

if not all cases the 

show everything goes to the dogs ! Secre- 

taries wishing to promote successful cat sec- 

tions at their mixed shows should secure 

some well-qualified person to have entire 

control of this department. It is certainly 

true that, of all live stock, cats require the 

most consideration and supervision, and yet 

to the masculine mind of a show secretary 

it would appear that the cats can look after 

themselves. There is no doubt that the first 

a show successful is to 

step towards making 

engage the services of a competent, 

energetic, and painstaking manager 

and secretary. It is also very de- 

sirable to appoint a really good 

working show committee, the 

members of which should 

each undertake some particular 

duty in connection with 

the show. For instance, one 

member might superintend 

the feeding, another could 

be responsible for obtaining 

promises of special prizes,


another devote him- or herself to verifying the 

prize tickets placed on the pens, and so on. A 

system of advertising a show must be decided 

upon by the show committee, and notices sent 

to the various journals which are circulated 

amongst fanciers. The class and prize tickets 

must be ordered in good time either by the 

secretary of the club or the show. 

manager of the 

The best time of the year for a show as 

regards the appearance 

of Persian cats is in 

December or January. Then, if ever, these 

particular cats should be in the best show condition. 

As regards kittens, the early summer 

or autumn is the best period, as spring kittens 

will then be ready to make their bow to the 

public. It is much to be regretted that the 

two principal shows of the National Cat Club 

namely, 

Crystal 

the Botanic Gardens and the 

Palace Shows should be held re- 

spectively in June and October, when Persian 

cats are in poor coat. 

Quite three months before the date of the 

show a managing secretary will start work. 

Catalogues of previous shows must be collected 

together, in order to ascertain the names and 

addresses of likely exhibitors. 

Special prizes are now a great 

feature at all 

cat shows, and a good deal of extra work is 

entailed by writing to obtain promises of these 

for the various breeds. If possible, it is well 

to appoint someone who is in touch with those 

who are likely to become donors, and to hand 

over this department. I would advise anyone 

this branch of the show to have a 

undertaking 

book, and to head each page with the respective 

classes of long and short haired breeds, and 

then when a special is received say, 

for the 

best black Persian cat to place this on the 

page set apart for specials for this particular 

breed. Keep a separate list for kittens, and 

decline to accept specials given in the form 

of stud visits or for cats bred from such-and- 

such a sire ; these savour too much of self- 

advertisement. There are so many specialist 

societies nowadays, and as these provide their 

own specials the show executive is consider- 

ably relieved of the duty of obtaining prizes. 

Of course, there are always a certain number 

of challenge cups, medals, and specials given 

by the club holding the show, and care should 

be taken to distribute these fairly amongst the 

various classes. It is usual and advisable to 

limit the competition of the majority of these 

special prizes 

to the members of the club. 

I do not approve of a special prize being 

offered for the best cat in the show, as it 

is almost impossible for the judges to arrive 

at a satisfactory decision, and considerable 

heartburnings are generally the result of 

such a competition. A very useful mode of 

assisting a show is by guaranteeing classes ; 

and I would suggest yet another plan, namely, 

to subscribe so much towards the expenses of 

the show. These are necessarily heavy, and 

it has been stated that no cat show can ever 

be made a paying affair. 

As regards the specialist societies, I think 

it seems the correct thing that the club in- 

tending 

to hold the show should instruct its 

secretary to write to the secretary 

of each 

specialist society to ask if he is willing to 

support the show by prizes or by guaranteeing 

classes, and to name the latest date for re- 

ceiving particulars of the support to be given. 

The specialist societies have their own judges, 

and it is only natural when they are offering 

handsome prizes that a claim should be made 

for first-class judging in the interests of the 

breed. It is therefore essential, as matters 

at present stand, for one of the judges from 

the list of the specialist club to be selected 

to give awards in the classes connected with 

the society. It is important to obtain as full 

a list as possible of special prizes from societies 

and outside donors in good time for insertion 

in the schedule, as a tempting list will ensure 

a better entry. In the schedule the exhibition 

rules of the club should be printed, and in 

addition there should be a list of arrangements 

in a prominent position setting forth details 

as to the opening and closing of the show, the 

time up to which exhibits are received, the 

earliest hour at which they may be removed, 

and the prices of admission. The names of 

the judges, with their respective classes, should

e clearly set forth, and it should be mentioned 

whether classes will or will not be amalgamated 

or cancelled. A few advertisements of stud 

cats and trade notices should be obtained, 

as this means grist to the mill and helps to 

pay for the printing of the schedules and 

catalogues. 

The question of classification is an all- 

important one, and needs the consideration of 

a careful show committee, well versed in the 

ways 

of cats and of fanciers. A list of the 

classification used by one or two big cat clubs 

has been given. Of course, at smaller shows 

it is often impossible to give separate classes 

for several breeds or to divide the sexes ; but 

my remarks in this chapter will refer to the 

customs and arrangements of large shows, 

such as those held by the National Cat Club 

at the Crvstal Palace, and the Cat Club at 

Westminster. I do not think it is good policy 

on the part of a show committee or management 

to amalgamate classes. It is much 

better to advertise in schedules that when 

entries are fewer than, say, four or five, then 

the judges are empowered to withhold any 

of the prizes ; or, again, in the case of a very 

small class, half prize money might be awarded. 

Having decided on the classification, and 


given 

" MINDING SHOP." 

as liberal and attractive a one as is 

possible and practicable, it is well to consider 

the number of schedules likely to be required, 

and then start addressing the wrappers. In each 

schedule must be inserted two or three entrj 

and registration forms. The entry forms, 

with fees, are returned to the secretary, and 

the registration forms to the person who 

keeps the register of the club holding the 

show. And here I would remark on the mis- 

take it is to have two registers for cats. It 

is very confusing for exhibitors, and a double 

expense, as the National Cat Club and the 

Cat Club each charge a shilling. Then, again, 

as the National Cat Club has recently passed 

a rule disqualifying all cats exhibited at Cat 

Club shows, the confusion is worse confounded. 

Some fanciers having large catteries divide 

their exhibits and send to both National Cat 

Club and Cat Club shows ; but this ne\ 

on cat fancier 

registration rule falls heavily 

who are keen to exhibit their specimens ant 

anxious for the pleasure of obtaining prizes, 

and desire to profit by showing their stud 

cats or having an opportunity of disposing 

of their stock. The National Cat Club show 

(Photo: C. Reid, Wishaw.) 

since the passing of this rule have suffered 

considerably, both from lack of entries anc 

by the absence of some of the fine 

champion cats that, having beer 

exhibited at the Cat Club show ii 

January, were thus debarred from 

appearing at the Botanic Gardens and

Crystal 

Palace shows. How much 

and better it would be if 

simpler 

both clubs could and would agree 

to have one register kept by an 

independent person, not necessarily 

a cntty individual, and that the 

fees should form the salary of such 

a person. A small fee might 

charged when reference was 

be 

desired 

by fanciers as to the pedigree 

of any cats. If the secretary of a 

.-how happens to be acquainted 

with the members of the cat fancy, 

lie will be able to use his discretion 

as to the number of entry and 

registration forms needed. In 

some cases, where he is sending to 

a well-known breeder and possessor 

of a large cattery, more numerous 

forms will be required. Schedules should be 

sent out quite a clear month in advance, 

and the entries should close about ten days 

before the date of the show. The secretary 

will have a book in which he will note down 

each entry as it is received, placing it under 

the correct class heading, and, of course, 

these can only be numbered up when entries 

close. The entry forms should be filed and 

kept 

for reference. Then comes the work of 

arranging and writing the labels, and placing 

these with the tallies, entrance tickets, and 

removal orders in envelopes and addressing 

them to the exhibitors. These should be 

posted four clear days before the show. 

During this time the secretary will be able 

to compile the catalogue for the printer, and 

arrange to have an instalment of copies the 

night before the opening day of the show, also 

to draw up the judges' books. Letters should 

be written to the judges and veterinary surgeons 

acquainting them with the hour at 

which they are desired to present themselves 

at the hall, and a complimentary pass ticket 

should be enclosed. A pass should also be 

sent to the representatives of the Press, to the 

veterinary surgeon, and to those who may 

be giving their services as stewards. Dis- 

tant exhibitors will write requesting catalogues 


" THIEVES." 


to be forwarded to them, and a list should be 

kept. A secretary will do well to provide him- 

self with strong cord, scissors, brown paper, 

writing materials, labels, telegraph forms, 

stamps, and other useful articles. 

In these days of specialist clubs it is neces- 

to have a list of members 

sary for the secretary 

of each society supporting the show, as the 

prizes being confined to members the judge 

will have to refer to the secretary's office for 

information before making his awards. 

The day before the show will be fully occupied 

in superintending the arrangement and 

putting up of the benching and pens. A conveniently 

sized glass case should be ordered 

for the special prizes, and this must be placed 

in a prominent position. The prizes should 

all be distinctly labelled with the donor's 

name and the breed of cat for which each is 

offered. The case should be one which locks 

up, and then it is not necessary to have any 

supervision of the contents. It is best for 

some two members of the show committee to 

undertake the arrangement in the case of the 

special prizes. Two men should be engaged 

to take the tickets and money at the entrance 

gate, and in the sales office a clerk will be 

required to receive purchase money and give 

receipts. At a large show it is necessary to

So THE BOOK OF THE CAT. 

employ 

four or six stewards to collect 

the judges' slips as they complete each 

class, and take them to those in the 

office appointed to write out the tickets. 

These same stewards should also un- 

dertake to place them on the pens. 

And here let me say how much better 

it would be if some arrangement 

could be made for the prize tickets to 

be fixed in a rack at the top of the pen, 

instead of being thrust between the 

wires, where a large number almost 

hide the cat, and frequently they are 

torn down by the inmates of the pen. 

A good manager will have all in order well 

before the hour when the cats are received, 

and if the veterinary engaged is in attendance 

the cats can be examined and, when passed, 

placed at once in their proper pens. It is very 

important to entrust the work of penning to 

those who are used to handling cats, and no 

better men can be found than those employed 

by Messrs. Spratt, who, as everyone knows, 

are the universal providers at cat shows, as 

at every other live-stock exhibition. It is a 

question whether hay or straw is best for 

bedding. I incline towards the latter if it 

is the fine wheaten straw, as hay, if it becomes 

MISS SIMPSON'S " CAMBYSES." 

(Photo : Gunn & Stewart, Richmond.) 

MRS. DRURY'S BROWX TABBY, " PERIWIG." 

(Photo : Kerby & Son, Ipswich.) 

at all damp, will stick to the long-coated cats. 

I also prefer dry earth at the back of the pens 

to sawdust, for the same reason. I trust we 

may ere long be able to provide something 

better in the way of a cat pen than those at 

present in use. The doors should open the 

full height of the cage and two-thirds of the 

width, so that the cat can be more easily taken 

out. 

There is no doubt that, considering the 

peculiar nature of cats, some more adequate 

arrangement should be made in the sanitary 

accommodation. The earth scattered at the 

back of the pen amongst the bedding is not 

all that could be desired. What we want is a 

false bottom, and an earth pan or tray sunk 

in it about two inches deep, on the plan of the 

bird cage, so that it can be drawn out and 

fresh earth supplied, and replaced. Greater 

care should be paid as regards the security 

of the fastenings of the pens, and the wires of 

some of them are too wide apart, so that young 

kittens can easily make an exit. It is well 

known that cats have extraordinary powers of 

escaping whenever and wherever escape is 

possible. 

I disapprove as strongly as do the cats 

of any disinfectant being sprinkled or placed 

inside the pens. Each pen must, of course, 

bear a number ; but instead of the different 

classes being numbered, it is much better to 

have them named, and the large placards fixed 

high about the pens by means of split sticks 

of Japanese bamboo. Thus anyone seeking 

. 

p|

the bine or the brown tabby 

class will have 

no difficulty in locating it, even without a 

catalogue. 

It is very important that all exhibits should 

be examined by a qualified veterinary surgeon 

before being penned, and if a cat is seriously 

ill the owner should be at once communicated 

with and the specimen returned. If it is a 

doubtful case, perhaps a running eye or high 

temperature, then the cat should be placed 

apart in a properly arranged, and if possible 

warmed, hospital room to be again examined. 

Remember it is always better to disappoint 

one exhibitor by refusing his 

cat, than to disgust everybody 

by bringing their 

carefully trained and dearly loved pets into 

contact with disease. It is necessary to 

appoint an official to check off each exhibit 

as it is passed, and in the event of pro- 

nounced illness or some other objectionable 

feature to make a note of this for future 

reference. 

As regards the feeding of exhibits, 


A LITTER OF BLUES. 

(Photo: E. Landor, Eating.) 

I am in 

favour of raw beef or cooked meat cut into 

small pieces or else put through a mincing 

machine, and water to drink. For many 

reasons it is not desirable to provide milk ; it 

is apt to turn sour, and it certainly more easily 

collects germs of disease, and so may prove a 

fruitful source of evil. 

The Cat Club started the idea of having 

china saucers instead of the usual tins, and 

these are decidedly better in every way. A 

one-day show is no doubt best for the cats, 

but for the exhibitors and the executive a 

two-days show is really preferable. If the 

exhibits are allowed to be penned up till 

eleven o'clock on the morning of the show, 

the judging ought to be got through and the 

tickets placed on the pens in two hours with 

a competent staff, and the show opened at 

one or 1.30. 

A smart secretary will arrange with his 

printer to have a list of awards printed 

with the utmost speed directly after the class 

judging is finished. This can either be given 

in the catalogues themselves or a separate 

sheet inserted in the catalogues. A large 

board ought to be hung in a conspicuous and 

convenient position, and the list of class 

winners and the winners of special prizes 

entered on it. This is better than having the 

slips pinned upon a board. They are .often very 

indistinctly written, and are apt to get torn 

down. Let the closing hour on the first night


be eight or nine o'clock, when the hall should 

be cleared and the pens covered over. I con- 

sider one good feed of raw meat ought to suffice 

during the day, with fresh water continually 

supplied. The hour for opening on the second 

day may be ten o'clock, and before then the pens 

ought to be cleaned out, fresh straw given 

where needed, and disinfectant sprinkled up 

and down the passages between the rows of 

pens not in them. Careful attention to these 

points will ensure the show being free from 

disagreeable odours by the time the public are 

admitted. It is a wise plan to arrange and 

announce that the show closes, say, at five p.m. 

on the second day, so that exhibitors can, in 

many cases, get home with their cats the 

same night. It is unreasonable to ex- 

pect to be allowed to depart before the time 

fixed, even though in some cases half an hour 

would save a train. As regards a one-day 

show, it is almost impossible for a secretary 

and manager to get through the necessary 

work and to open in anything like time. 

There must be a scramble, and for the ex- 

hibitors to be obliged to present themselves 

and their cats at some unearthly hour in the 

morning is very trying and most inconvenient. 

Then a two-days show is, of course, an advantage 

as regards the entrance money. The 

Cat Club used to have a stringent rule against 

exhibitors penning their own cats, but at the 

Westminster Show this rule was amended, 

and cats could be penned by their owners or 

representatives on the night before the show, 

but not in the morning. No evil result 

followed this concession on the part of the 

authorities, and therefore I trust this very 

natural desire on the part of the exhibitors 

to see their precious pussies safely into their 

temporary quarters may always be permitted 

at Cat Club shows. 

In order to facilitate the work of the judges, 

it is well to have their books carefully and 

clearly arranged, and this especially applies 

to the list of special awards. I instituted a 

plan at Westminster Show, in 1901, which gave 

great satisfaction, but which entailed a lot of 

extra work for the secretary. I am sure, 

however, this special arrangement lightened 

the labours of the judges, and hastened the 

appearance of the special prize 

cards on the 

pens. I had separate books for the special 

awards, and carefully cut out of the schedules 

the prizes pertaining to each judge. Thus, if 

Mr. A. had black, white, and blue long-haired 

classes, every challenge medal and special 

offered for these cats I arranged in order on 

one side of the page, with the numbering as 

it appeared with them in the schedule. So 

in the left-hand page would be, say, " Special 

No. 10, for best long-haired black," and on 

the right-hand page " Awarded to No ," 

to fill in the 

leaving a blank for the judge 

number of the winner. Any prizes that had 

to be awarded in conjunction with other 

judges, such as for best long-haired cat in 

the show, I made a note of to this effect. Let 

me add that I gummed the printed portions 

relating to the prizes, cut from the schedule, 

into the judging books, so the judges needed 

neither schedule nor catalogue to refer to. 

In preparing judges' books it is very helpful 

to place male and female (M. and F.) after 

each catalogue number in the mixed kitten 

classes, to avoid reference for the special 

awards ; and this should also be done in the 

catalogue itself, as very often the name of the 

kitten does not indicate the sex, and would-be 

purchasers are obliged to make inquiries. 

I am always an advocate for having selling 

classes for cats and kittens at shows, where 

the price should be limited to 5 55. 

long-haired classes, and 3 33. 

in the 

in the short- 

haired classes. It would be an assistance if 

someone who understood cats, and was also 

a good salesman or saleswoman, undertook to 

preside over the selling classes. The 10 per 

cent, commission deducted by the show 

authorities is a material help, and often a little 

pressure and persuasion, combined with useful 

information, will decide a wavering purchaser. 

A class I should like to see introduced into 

our shows is one for kittens bred by exhibitors. 

I am of opinion that more encouragement 

should be given to fanciers to keep the best 

of their litters for exhibition. Lady Marcus

Beresford had the happy inspiration of start- 

ing breeders' cups for competition at Cat Club 

shows, and special prizes are often given for 

the best kitten bred by exhibitors. But these 

are tiresome awards for a judge to make ; he 

is obliged to make inquiries from someone 

with a catalogue, and even this reference will 

not always suffice. It is always pleasant to 

win prizes, but an additional pride would 

JUDGING 

naturally be felt if, in a large class of kittens 

bred by well-known exhibitors, the son or 

daughter of our own breeding should be 

awarded first and special. 

With respect to a ring class, which is 

often held at some of the National Cat Club- 

shows,' I cannot say that it is very interesting 

to see a collection of toms, females, and 

neuters, long- and short-haired, being dragged 

along by their anxious owners, whilst the 

puzzled judges try hard to decide which of 

the motley and mixed assembly is most worthy 

of honours. I think that for a ring class 

EXHIBITING. 3 

neuters alone should be eligible, or at any 

rate until we have trained our young cats to 

behave properly on a lead. There need be 

no necessity for the neuters to be entered and 

penned in the show, but they could be charged 

a higher fee for the ring class ; and I believe 

that many owners of neuters would not object 

to their precious pets being on exhibition for 

ten or twenty minutes, led by themselves 

IN THE RING AT THE CRYSTAL PALACE. 

(Photo : Russell & Sons, Crystal Palace.) 

into the ring, but who will not let them be 

cramped up in a pen for two days. Neuters 

are always at a disadvantage in the show 

pen they are generally too large and too 

lazy to be properly seen, and a ring class for 

these specimens would be a very attractive 

feature at our cat shows. A row of chairs 

should be placed round, and sixpence a seat 

charged. It is quite absurd to mix up the 

sexes, and dangerous to allow torn cats to 

come within fighting distance of each other. 

At a recent show great excitement was caused 

in the ring by the sudden attack of one famous


stud cat on another, and it was lucky that 

nothing worse than a torn and bleeding ear 

was the result of this onslaught. Another 

class I should like to see at some of our large 

shows, and certainly at the summer N.C.C. 

Show, is a class for stud cats, which should be 

judged quite irrespective of coat, and- special 

attention directed to form of limb, size of 

head, and massive build in awarding the 

prizes. This might not be an attractive class, 

but it would be an instructive one, and give 

the veterans a chance of proving of what stuff 

they are made. A young 

untried male will 

often take all the honours in his class, and the 

stud cat of a busy season is forced to take a 

back place, probably on account of services 

rendered. Anyhow, this idea might be 

carried out as regards the two largest classes 

namely, those for silver and blue Persians. 

In former days there used to be classes at 

some of the shows in which the cats were 

judged by weight, but these have wisely been 

done away with. 

The question of open judging at cat 

shows has frequently 

been 

discussed in 

catty circles, 

and several fan- 

ciers have given 

their opinions 

on this subject. 

MISS KIRKPATRICK'S BLUE KITTENS. 

(Photo : 

E. Landor, Eating.) 

Mrs. Neate, a well-known fancier, writes thus 

in Fur and Feather : 

" 

It would indeed be a 

direction if cat shows were 

step in the right 

run on (as far as possible) the same lines as 

dog shows. Much of the absurd mystery that 

at present envelops our cat shows would 

vanish if exhibitors were permitted to be 

present during the judging, and I feel sure 

that the majority of cat fanciers would not 

be so wanting in etiquette and good taste as 

to hinder the judges or any of the officials 

in discharge of their onerous duties." No 

doubt there is much truth in these remark 1- ; 

but, at the same time, I do not think fanciers 

take sufficiently into consideration the very 

timid, shrinking nature of the cat when they 

advocate open judging. It is often most 

difficult for a judge to properly examine a cat. 

even when he or she is quietly going round 

giving the awards ; it would be still more 

to man and beast if a collection of 

trying 

strangers were pressing forward on all sides. 

What I consider is more practical than 

open judging for cats is that some arrangement 

should be made so that judges may be 

enabled to compare the points of the various 

exhibits, and for this purpose I consider that 

judging pens on movable tables should be 

provided at all shows, as were adopted by 

the Cat Club at Westminster. By these 

means the work of the judges would be much 

simplified, and the cats more satisfactorily 

and quickly judged. 

Supposing a special prize or medal is offered 

for the best cat in the show, then I think it 

-is interesting and instructive to have the first 

prize winning cats placed, if possible, in pens, 

and to arrange for the award to be given in 

in con- 

public during the show by the judges 

junction with each other. Such a plan was 

adopted at the last Manchester Cat Show, 

and much satisfaction was expressed at this 

innovation. 

Having given some suggestions 

as to the 

classification, I would again refer to points of 

management in shows. At the closing hour 

on the second day the hall should be cleared, 

and only exhibitors or their representatives

allowed to remain. An efficient staff of attend- 

ants should at once set to work to assist in 

packing up the cats belonging to those exhibitors 

who intend taking them away. After 

these have all left, then the manager should 

direct his attention towards those exhibits 

that should be started by the night mails. 

The catalogue must be consulted, and a good 

way is to mark with a cross on the pen tickets 

those cats that must be packed up ; and, having 

previously ordered the railway vans at a 

certain time, the precious packages should 

be sent off as speedily as possible. Those 

exhibits left over till the following morning 

should be fed again and started at daybreak. 

There is a sense of immense relief when 

the last hamper has been fastened down and 

seen off the premises. And here let me say 

how much exhibitors can contribute towards 

' the 

the speedy and safe despatch of their pets, 

if only they will provide substantial and well 

appointed travelling baskets or boxes. Amidst 

all the hurry and confusion of packing up 

an immense amount of extra trouble is given 

by having to lace up a hamper with string, 

or nail down a box that has no other means 

of being made secure ! I speak from experience, 

and therefore I plead for more 

consideration to be extended to the show 

manager and his assistants, and, above all, 

to the poor pussies themselves. 

At every show that is held there are a 

number of exhibitors who try the patience 

and courtesy of the manager or secretary, 

or both, by requesting to be allowed to 

remove their cats before the advertised time. 

Of course, it is only natural that those 

fanciers residing at a distance should wish 

to make tracks home and catch early trains 

tor their own comfort and convenience and 

the welfare of their pussies. But, looking at 

matter from a secretary's and a visitor's 

point of view, it is certainly hard that perhaps 

some of the best prize cats should be 

absent from their pen whilst the public are 

paying their money at the gate ; but, having 

made a rule, it is best to stick to it, and no 

cat should be taken away till the fixed hour 

EXHIBITING. 

"ROSE OF PERSIA. 

(I'hoto: 

Landor, Ealing.) 

under any pretext whatever, unless a vet- 

erinary 

certificate of illness is obtained. 

It is always open to the management to 

advertise an earlier hour for the removal of 

exhibits on payment of a certain sum, but 

this should be made a substantial fine, especially 

in the case of a prize-winner. A lower 

figure might be named for other exhibits. As 

regards cats or kittens purchased at the show, 

it is certainly an inducement and incentive 

to buyers if there is a rule that these exhibits 

may be removed at any time. 

According to the rules of the two leading 

clubs a certain fixed time must elapse before 

the prizes are sent out. In some cases this is 

a most uncertain and unfixed time, and many 

complaints have been made through the cat 

papers of the long drawn-out period between 

the prize being won and the prize being re- 

ceived. No doubt, immediate distribution of 

prizes after the show would lead to complications, 

for objections might be lodged within 

the given time allowed by the rules, and such 

objections would have -to be brought before 

the committee of the club ; therefore it is 

obvious that successful competitors must 

allow, say, a month to elapse before showing 

signs of impatience. It is then the manager's 

business to send the money awards, and the


secretary of the club is generally accountable 

for the distribution of the 

: ' 

specials," which 

certainly call for a special acknowledgment 

from the recipient to the donor of these prizes. 

As regards the financial aspect of a cat show, 

the first important point is to make the entries 

pay for themselves that is. supposing your 

prize money in each class is i, ios., and 55., 

then you need twelve entries at 35. to carry 

you through. And here let me remark that, 

considering the character of our first-class 

shows and the value of the special prizes 

offered, I am inclined to think that entry 

fees are too low, and that they should be more 

in accordance with the fees charged at dog 

shows. It is always advisable to make a 

difference between members of the club hold- 

ing the show and outsiders. Thus, if 55. is 

the entry fee for members, then 6s. or 75. 6d. 

might be charged to non-members. New 

recruits to a club are often gained by this 

arrangement. The usual commission on sales 

is 10 per cent., and then there is the gate 

money, which somehow is generally disap- 

pointing, for truly the outside public 

are not 

partial to cats, nor attracted to exhibitions of 

the feline race. I have always contended that 

exhibitors themselves ought to be charged an 

entrance fee say, half - price admission on 

presentation of their exhibitor's pass, which 

in many cases would only be sixpence, yet 

one or two hundred of these small coins would 

and surely no 

materially assist the exchequer ; 

cat fancier would grumble at this tax on their 

resources when the}' consider how much 

trouble and expense is entailed in providing 

them with a favourable opportunity of ex- 

hibiting their pets, and with a possibility of 

winning golden guineas and silver trophies. 

Another plan is to advertise in schedules 

that exhibitors of more than, say, two entries 

would be allowed a free pass. Fanciers will 

be tempted to send additional cats, and thus 

swell the entries, in order to secure their free 

admission ticket. I do not think it would be 

a bad plan to have a " Contribution Column " 

on the entry forms for members' and exhibitors' 

voluntary donations towards the expenses 

of a show which, if well managed, is worthy of 

the utmost support from the cat-loving com- 

munity. 

" Every mickle makes a muckle," and it 

should be the earnest desire of each individual 

member of a club to do something, however 

small, towards keeping a balance on the right 

side of their treasurer's accounts. 

BUYING AND SELLING. 

I believe that a Bow Street magistrate once 

asserted that anyone owning a stud dog or 

selling a dog was, in the point of law, a dealer. 

I do not know if the same decision would 

apply in the cat world. Anyhow, there are 

few fanciers who do not desire at some time 

or other to dispose of their cats and kits ; and, 

again, there are many who keep stud cats, yet 

cannot be considered dealers in that sense 

of the term. The best way to set about 

trying to sell our surplus stock is to advertise 

in the cat papers, in which case it is advisable 

to fully and fairly describe 

to name the price required. 

our animals and 

If profit is to be 

considered, it is not advisable to keep kittens 

more than eight weeks. Very soon after this 

to lose their flumness and 

period they begin 

grow leggy in appearance. There is also the 

risk of illness and death. It is better, therefore, 

to be willing to accept a moderate sum 

for kittens at eight weeks old rather than to 

keep them to see how they turn out. It is 

a clear case of " a bird in the hand is worth 

two in the bush." 

I have always thought that there is a good 

opening for any enterprising person well 

versed in cat lore and cat fanciers to start 

an agency in London, where cats and kittens 

might be sent on approval, for would-be 

purchasers to call and interview them. There 

might be a system of messengers who would 

meet cats and see them off at London stations. 

In connection with such a cat agency a register 

might be kept of cats for sale or cats wanted and 

arrangements made as at the Army and Navy 

Stores for having a certain number of animals 

on view. These could be boarded at so much 

per week, and commission charged on the sale.

A list of names and addresses of those willing 

to receive cats as boarders would be very useful, 

and many ladies who do not choose to advertise 

could and would, I am sure, avail themselves 

of the means of letting fanciers know they 

could undertake the charge of pets during their 

owners' absence from home. Many and fre- 

quent are the letters I receive on this subject, 

especially as the summer vacation approaches. 

A day and hour for the visit of an experi- 

Breed and Sex 

Colour 

EXHIBITING. 

In these days, when competition is so keen 

and occupation so difficult to obtain, the idea 

of starting a cat agency should commend 

itself to some who, being in touch with members 

of the cat fancy, and wishing for lucrative 

employment, might embark on this novel 

undertaking. Needless to say, it would be 

most desirable to have the cat agency in a 

central part of London, and in close proximity, 

if possible, to some of the main railway stations. 

THE BLUE PERSIAN CAT SOCIETY PEDIGREE FORM. 

Name of Cat 

Breeder 

Date of Birth 

PARENTS. GRAND-PARENTS. GREAT GRAND-PARENTS. GREAT GREAT GRAND-PARENTS. 

Sire. 

Dam. 

Prizes Won, Remarks, &c.__ 

These Forms, at 8d. per dozen, can be obtained on application to Miss !'. SIMPSON, Hon. Sec., 9, Leonard Place, Kensington, W. 

enced veterinary might be arranged, so that 

country fanciers could send or bring their 

sick cats for advice. All sorts of cat appliances 

might be on sale. It would be con- 

venient to have a writing-room for the use 

of fanciers, where correspondence on catty 

matters could be carried on. Perhaps a tearoom 

could be added, and bedrooms, if space 

was available, for fanciers coming up to attend 

London shows. Anyhow, a list of suitable 

rooms might be kept which could be personally 

recommended. 

{. 

I think that, if only as a means of assisting 

fanciers in the purchase and disposal of their 

cats and kittens, this idea of an agency might 

be successfully worked. Many breeders become 

very disheartened at the inability to 

find purchasers for their kittens. A com- 

plaint was recently made by a lady living in 

the Isle of Wight. She writes : 

" No one 

seems to care for breeding in this island, and 

people are not willing to give more than about 

five shillings for pedigree kittens." No doubt 

fanciers living in the country and away from


any catty centre have but little opportunity 

of finding a sale for their surplus stock. I 

would suggest photography as one means of 

making known the perfections of their pussies. 

A start in the right direction has been made 

by Mr. Landor, of Ealing, whose clever pictures 

of kittens are so well known. He is willing to 

take portraits of pretty, fluffy kits and good 

cats on special terms, provided he retains the 

copyright of such photographs. It is always 

handy to have a good photograph to send by 

post when endeavouring to dispose of our pets, 

and by such means fanciers may be spared 

the trouble and risk of sending their valuable 

kittens on approval. 

for unknown cat fanciers it is 

Naturally, 

more difficult to effect sales through advertise- 

ment, and in their case it is necessary to offer 

to send on approval at buyer's risk and cost ; 

and if an application is made from an entire 

stranger, then the purchase money should be 

deposited in the hands of some reliable and 

independent third person. Some fanciers en- 

tirely decline to send their cats on approval, 

and then it is very requisite to enter fully 

" MISCHIEF. 

into particulars, and, if possible, to send a 

photograph. It is best to give the faults and 

failings as well as the good points, 

so that 

disappointment and disagreement may not 

follow between the purchaser and seller. 

Buyers should endeavour to learn something 

about the person from whom they purchase 

their cats ; and it as well to ask not only for 

age and full pedigree, but whether the cat has 

been exhibited, and if it has taken any honours, 


and at which shows. It sometimes happens 

that valuable animals may be picked up for 

low prices at shows ; but there is always a risk, 

and this is especially the case . with young 

kittens, who more easily contract any disease. 

In buying a cat or kitten it is always advisable 

to make inquiries as to the way in which it has 

been fed, so as to continue the same regimen 

for at least a few days. The pedigree of a 

cat or kitten should be sent at the time of 

purchase, and it is much easier to fill this in 

on a properly drawn out form, and certainly 

it is pleasanter to receive the particulars thus 

intelligently written out. I give a copy of 

the forms I drew out for the use of blue Persian

members, but these can, of course, be used 

for cats of any breed. 

Here let me quote from an article in that 

excellent American paper, The Cat Journal, 

headed " Unreasonable Buyers." The writer 

says :~-" One of the most difficult things with 

which the cat seller has to contend is the 

unreasonable buyer. There are buyers who, 

rinding a cat to suit them, pay the price and 

are satisfied. There is, however, another class 

that it is best to let alone. They are never 

satisfied, and blame the seller for everything 

that happens either on the road or after the 

kitten is received, and many of them also 

think if they are sharp they will be able to buy 

a $100 kitten for $10 or 15, and when they 

get such a kitten and they 

EXHIBITING. 

OUR PLAY-ROOM. 

(From a Painting by Madame Ronney.) 

discover that it 

is not worth $100, they are disgusted, and 

have a lot to say about unfair dealing, etc. 

If a kitten that has been a pet is taken from 

its surroundings, and sent on a long journey, 

the rattle and the unusual conditions of such a 

trip places her in a state of nervous terror, so 

that she very rarely shows off to good advan- 

tage in her new home. The purchaser, 

true cat lover, will appreciate all the trouble 

if a 

of poor little pussy, and give her the tender- 

est treatment and coax her to make the best 

of her new surroundings. It is a very rare 

thing for a kitten to come from the box after 

a long journey looking just as the new owner 

expected. Tired, homesick, and frightened, 

she will not eat, and is altogether a pitiable 

looking object. It is always advisable to put


a new arrival in a room by herself, with a com- 

fortable bed and conveniences, entirely away 

from the rest of the cats and kittens, and 

allow her to become acquainted with the 

members of the family gradually. Do not 

allow other cats to come bothering around 

till the new member of the family is entirely 

acquainted with its surroundings. Especially 

be very cautious in introducing two male 

cats. 

" Sellers must be very cautious in sending 

out their stock, and buyers must not expect 

too much. Give the new member of the 

family a little time to know things before you 

write your letter of complaint. Be sure you 

are not expecting too much for the price you 

paid." 

The question has often been asked, " Can 

cats be made to pay ? " 

and, naturally, 

novices in the fancy wish to know the best 

way in which to make a good start. 

Here I would say how much may be done 

by well-known and influential members of any 

fancy if they will give themselves a little 

trouble in helping the novice, who, after all, 

is the backbone, so to speak, of every fancy, 

and hence it is very essential that beginners 

should start on the right lines and with reliable, 

and therefore profitable, stock. Speaking from 

experience in the cat fancy, I can say that 

several persons have come into the ranks and 

gone out of it again, in many cases through 

sheer disgust because of the deceptions practised, 

and of which they, as novices, have 

been made the victims. I hold that if begin- 

ners are to be retained as members of a fancy, 

they should be treated kindly and liberally 

by the experienced fancier, especially when 

it is a question of purchasing stock. It is 

much to be lamented that novices are fre- 

quently treated in a reverse manner, and 

fanciers (so-called) seize upon an opportunity 

of getting rid of superfluous and often inferior 

specimens to those who are unable to discover 

good from bad in the cats offered to them. 

At the same time, it is a pleasing fact that 

there are many true fanciers in the feline 

world who, having made their names as breeders, 

prize-winners, and perhaps judges, put themselves 

out to give valuable advice, and often 

spare no pains in endeavouring to obtain good 

stock for the novice at reasonable prices. 

" 

Does 

Another question often asked is, 

" 

? 

showing pay In answer to this query, I 

give an extract from the pen of the clever 

weekly correspondent 

" 

Zaida," who : says 

of Fur and Feather, 

" 

To those who keep 

their cats for pleasure, who really love them 

and can afford to despise the small ' 

takings ' 

available, keep your cats at home and do not 

show. Expense does not count with this class 

of exhibitor, but risk to the welfare of their 

best-beloved pussies undoubtedly does. To 

those who are trying to make money by their 

cats, we would urge : harden your hearts, 

learn how to show, where to show, and when 

to show ; 

and recognise the expense, risk, and 

trouble involved as part of the unavoidable 

outlay which is to bring in a certain return. 

Undoubtedly, a show is a heavy expense, and 

will always leave you out of pocket. Even 

if you conduct it on the most selfish terms 

the ' 

give-nothing ' 

and ' 

take-all-you-can ' 

system you will be exceptionally lucky if you 

clear your expenses. You cannot expect to 

sell your kittens well if you do not exhibit. 

"If you possess a stud cat, he must be seen 

and known before you can hope to have a demand 

for his services. Your own eye must be 

continually trained by comparison of your own 

stock with the prize specimens of others. In 

short, if you wish to make money, you must 

spend money. On the other hand, never exhibit 

except at first-rate shows, and never be 

tempted 

to show an animal out of condition. 

If you can afford to buy animals already well 

known in the show world, cats of renown, 

for whose offspring there will always be a 

keen demand, you may possibly abstain from 

exhibition. This plan, however, involves a 

very large initial outlay. Then, again, the 

happy people who have won their laurels, 

whose names are always associated with first- 

rate animals of a particular breed, they, 

indeed, can afford to rest in peace, and show 

no more. Other people will buy their kittens,

and do their exhibiting for them, and also do 

that mournful nursing and burying that too 

often follows a show. Undoubtedly, 

EXHIBITING. 

third visit gratis cannot be expected even if 

there is no result. A fee once paid for a visit 

it is fas- is not returnable. It is sometimes a matter 

cinating to show successfully ; but, on the of arrangement between fanciers to have the 

whole, we think the most enjoyable shows 

are those where one goes to look at other 

people's exhibits and leave one's own at home." 

A few words as to the stud fees and arrange- 

choice of a kitten instead of the mating fee, 

but this transaction does not commend itself 

unless the parties are on very friendly 

terms. A clear understanding should be arments 

for visiting queens will not here be out rived at on all occasions between the sender 

of place. The usual fee for the services of a and the receiver, and thus any after unpleas- 

stud cat is fixed at i is., but some fanciers antness may be avoided. It is catty etiquette 

are willing to accept less, especially if their to forward the fee when sending the queen j 

cat is not a well-known 

prize-winner. A higher 

charge is often made if 

the railway journey has 

to be followed by a cab 

fare, or if the owner, hav- 

ing a valuable stud cat, 

does not wish to encourage 

visitors. The car- 

many 

riage of the queen should 

always be defrayed by the 

sender, and if a telegram 

and return insurance is 

desired, then these sums 

expended should be refunded 

to the owner of 

the stud cat. It is de- 

sirable to announce the 

despatch 

or intended des- 

patch of a queen, 

not be convenient 

may 

as it 

MR. V. W. WESTERN, THE SECRETARY 

OF THE SANDY CLUB SHOW. 

(Photo : Kingham, Bedford.) 

or, at latest, immediately 

on her return. A label 

for the return journey 

should be fixed inside the 

lid of the hamper. This 

is a saving of trouble to 

the owner of the stud, and 

is also a means of identi- 

fication. 

In selecting a young 

kitten for purchase out of 

a litter, take note of the 

size of head and width 

between the ears. In self- 

coloured kits look out for 

white spots, and avoid 

those with long tails. 

Fanciers should strive to 

resist the temptation of 

cats and 

buying too many 

kittens of different breeds. 

to receive her. The usual time to keep a To the novice and the beginner I would say, 

visitor is from three to six days, and then Buy two or three good specimens, carefully 

the owner of the stud cat should give notice selected ; these will be worth quantities of 

of the return. In case the first visit proves 

unsuccessful a second visit is usually allowed 

by courtesy without any extra payment, 

but this must not be taken as a matter of 

course, and it is best for the owner of the 

queen to ask permission to send again. If 

through a mistake in the time of sending a cat 

apparently fails to mate during two visits, it 

can only be by the kindness of the stud cat's 

owner that a third visit is permitted for the 

doubtful ones, which, as a matter of fact, 

have, as a rule, no value at all. Seize every 

opportunity which comes across your path 

of seeing and examining well-bred, prize-winning 

cats, and attending shows. The cleverest 

fancier and most successful breeder can im- 

prove himself by observation and education. 

Do not be offended if you are told by those 

who have had a larger and longer experience 

in the fancy, and who are really experts, that 

one fee. If, however, the queen has been you have made a mistake in any purchase. 

known to have mated on each occasion, a If you resent their criticisms, you may, and

probably will, accumulate much rubbish as a 

monument of your own conceit. A great deal 

may be learnt from books, but more from 

observation. Above all, do not, when you 

have acquired some knowledge, form too 

high an estimate of your own powers and of 

your own cats a true fancier is ; 

always ready 

nay, anxious to learn, well recognising that 

ignorance alone claims to be omniscient. 

LOCAL SHOWS. 

As an example of the ever-increasing interest 

shown in cat sections at local shows, the fol- 

lowing account, kindly supplied to me by Mr. 

F. W. Western, the secretary, will be of in- 

terest : 

" Sandy Show has long since outgrown in 

size and importance the title it bears, viz. 

' 

and District 

The Exhibition of the Sandy 

Floral and Horticultural Society.' Tne first 

schedule, issued in 1869, catered for plants, 

flowers, fruit, vegetables, poultry, and cage 


OFFICIALS OF THE N.C.C.C. 

(Photo: Mrs. G. H. Walker.} 

birds. In 1880 pigeons were introduced, and 

in 1883 rabbits were added. Later, in 1899, 

dogs put in an appearance with four classes. 

It was not, however, until 1894 that our friend 

' 

pussy,' in whom we are especially interested, 

made her debut at Sand}', and as we look at 

the schedule for that year we are driven to 

the conclusion that none but a philosopher 

could have drawn up such a classification for 

our pets. The trouble which we now fre- 

quently experience at a cat show of being 

' 

' 

wrong classed could not well arise on that 

happy day in August 1894, when eight catteries 

were represented in the one and only class, viz. 

' 

Any variety, any age, male or female.' But 

if our pets made a modest bow to the public 

in that year, they have lived to be proud of 

their position. In the succeeding year three 

classes were provided, bringing together 31 

cats. From this date the cat classes have 

shown substantial improvement. The year 

1900 found Sandy with five classes and 41

entries. By this time the cat fancy throughout 

clubs 

the country had come into prominence ; 

had been established, and specialist societies 

were springing into existence. With a leap 

forward the cat section of the 1901 show num- 

bered 20 classes. This was far too bold a bid 

for popularity to be lightly esteemed. The 

support was obtained of the Cat Club, the 

Silver Society (to-day the Silver and Smoke 

Persian Cat Society), the Short-haired Cat 

Society, and the Siamese Club. 

" 

Generous aid was given by many individual 

lovers of cats, and fifty special prizes, in addi- 

tion to the class prize money, were offered. 

The show was attended with success, both 

as regards the number (about 150) and the 

quality of the exhibits. From a public point 

of view, moreover, the result was most gratify- 

ing. 

" The cat tent was crowded throughout the 

day, and this section was acknowledged on 

every hand to have been one of the best features 

of the show. 

" 

With such success attending their first 

earnest venture in cats, it is not surprising to 

find that the committee resolved still further 

to increase the classification. In August 1902, 

therefore, 32 classes were arranged, of which 

21 were guaranteed. Special prizes numbered 

85, and the cat section had the support of all 

the specialist societies. 

" 

With such attractions the splendid entry 

of 1901 was eclipsed, and at the very worst 

time of the year for cats as many as 266 

entries were made. Long-haired cats were 

decidedly well represented, and in the blue 

kitten class 21 specimens were penned. In 

the short-haired classes some noted winners 

appeared. 

" Ring classes were provided, and proved a 

attraction to the 

g^reat 

public. The local 

classes were proof that Mrs. F. W. Western 

has succeeded in interesting some of her 

friends in the hobby, and the specimens to 

which the honours fell would have done well 

in the keenest competition." 

Mention was made in the list of clubs on a 

previous page of theNorthern Counties Cat Club, 


which was founded in 1900. The committee 

decided on holding a one-day kitten show 

in September of that year, and the judges 

selected were Miss D. Champion, Miss Frances 

Simpson, Mr. T. B. Mason, and Mr. L. P. 

Astley. Entries came up well, numbering 154, 

and this novel undertaking was in every way 

a great success. The Northern Counties Cat 

Club kitten show is now an annual fixture, 

and on October ist of 1902 a really splendid 

exhibition of promising youngsters was held 

at Bellevue, Manchester. Twenty-two classes 

were arranged, and over fifty specials offered. 

Entries were twenty in excess of the pre- 

vious year, and would have been still higher 

in number had not sickness prevented several 

well-known silver breeders from exhibiting. 

The litter class numbered 17, and these, with 

the splendid blue classes, were the chief glory 

of the show. There were 18 pairs of blue 

kittens and 40 entries in single blue kittens, 

and it was most noticeable how few of these 

specimens failed in eyes. There were rows 

of gleaming orange orbs that rejoiced the 

heart of the Hon. Sec. of the Blue Persian Cat 

Society. 

The kitten show of 1902 may fairly be classed 

as another success for the Northern Club. 

A similar show for cats and kittens is held 

annually in December in Manchester by this 

enterprising club. I am indebted to Mrs. G. H. 

Walker for the group of officials and members 

of the Northern Club. The photo was 

taken by Mrs. Walker at the Manchester 

kitten show of 1902. 

In connection with the dog show of the 

Ladies' Kennel Association, an exhibition of 

cats is now held annually at Harrogate under 

the rules and patronage of the National Cat 

Club. The first venture in this popular and 

fashionable water resort was made by Mrs. 

Stennard Robinson in 1901, when entries 

came in splendidly ; but rain descended most 

disastrously, and seriously interfered with 

the success of the show and the attendance 

of visitors. In 1002 the weather proved 

most favourable, but the cat section suffered 

considerably as regards numbers of exhibits in


consequence of the date clashing with that of accept with pleasure the scheme submitted to 

the Sandy Show, held also on August 28th. the public by the secretary of the S.S.P.C.S." 

On this occasion the Hon. Mrs. McLaren The Scottish Cat Club, which has Lady 

Morrison was advertised as judge, but owing to Marcus Beresford for its President, holds its 

ill-health her place was taken by Mrs. Stennard annual show during the winter months, and 

Robinson, and Mr. J. B. Townend, of the its exhibition follows closely on that of the 

National Cat Club, undertook the manage- Midland Counties. 

ment. The Midland Counties Cat Club held Under the list of winter shows mention 

its first show in Birmingham. The classifica- may be made of the following, where, in 

tion was on a liberal scale, and several of connection with other live stock, cats play 

the classes were guaranteed. Several of the a more or less important part 

specialist societies 

should combine and 

hold a show in the 

West of England. 

SANDY STEALING THE MILK. 

THE PROPERTY OF Miss HARPER. 

(Photo: B. Tugwcll, Haywards Heatlt.) 

: Peter- 

specialist clubs supported this first venture of borough, Sheffield. Hounslow, Kendal, Bedford, 

the Midland Counties 

Cat Club. A new 

departure in the 

matter of shows 

may shortly be 

Caterham, Hinckley. 

Hamilton, Don- 

attempted, and a 

scheme has been 

caster, Yarmouth, 

Stratford -on- Avon, 

Bristol, Haverfordwest, 

Stockton, 

Cheltenham, Taun- 

submitted to the cat 

world by the Hon. 

Sec. of the Silver 

and Smoke Persian 

ton, Epsom, Hexham, 

Lark hall. 

Stirling. 

In this list I have 

Cat Society, that the 

made no mention of 

Each society is to 

be asked to bear a 

part in the expenses, 

and secretaries will 

the great championship 

show of the 

National Cat Club, 

held annually at the 

Crystal Palace in 

October, to which 

the whole of cat 

creation looks for- 

probably hold a meeting to consider the best ward with awe and ways 

longing. This is one 

and means of carrying out such an of the greatest events in the cat world, 

undertaking. It is not intended that such a and is always eagerly looked forward to by 

fanciers in all parts of the British Isles, 

show should be in any opposition to those . 

held by the parent clubs, and registration in In the schedule for the exhibition in 1902 

either of these clubs will be enforced ; but, to no fewer than 216 special prizes were offered, 

quote the words of a well-known fancier and Many of these were given by the following 

supporter of the specialist societies, "It is specialist clubs, who generously supported 

simply a way of escape from the enforced this annual fixture : The Blue Persian Cat 

division of interests, and a means for permit- Society, the Silver and Smoke Persian Cat 

ting the cats of all club persuasions to meet Society, the Chinchilla Cat Club, the Orange, 

on equal ground. As matters now stand, Cream and Tortoiseshell Society, the Siamese 

open competition is a thing of the past, Cat Club, the Manx Cat Club, and the British 

and the sooner it becomes a possibility again Cat Club. 

the better for the cat fancy. On this ground, The names of the judges acting on this 

therefore, we think all unbiassed minds will occasion were as follow : Mrs. Greenwood,

Miss Forestier Walker, Miss G. Jay, Miss 

Cochran, Miss F. Simpson, Mr. Louis Wain, 

Mr. Sam Woodiwiss, Mr. C. A. House, and 

Mr. Jung. 

In our latter-day shows the work of the 

judges is considerably augmented by the 

numerous specials that have to be awarded 

amongst the winners in the well-filled classes, 

and as regards the Crystal Palace show of 

1902, the patience and skill of the judges making 

these awards were taxed to the uttermost. 

The Cat Club's show has been held for three 

years in succession at St. Stephen's Hall, 


Westminster Aquarium, about the beginning 

of January, and it is at this season that the 

really 

finest exhibition of Persian cats is 

witnessed, for at no other time are long-haired 

cats in such grand coat and good condition as 

in the middle of winter. 

It is no wonder, therefore, with so many 

shows held throughout the length and breadth 

of the land, that the cult of the cat is becoming 

more and more widely known and appreciated, 

and that the fancy is really assuming such 

proportions 

that there can be no doubt of 

its permanent position amongst us. 

SILVER CATS BELONGING TO MRS. CLARK, OF ASHBRITTLE.

entering upon the distinctive 

breeds of cats, of which I propose to 

BEFORE 

treat fully in the ensuing chapters, I 

would draw attention to the accompanying 

diagram of a cat, and will proceed to point 

out the general contour of the animal, whether 

long or short haired. 

Having given a table of reference, 

9 b 

CHAPTER VI. 

THE POIXTS OF A CAT. 

I will 

take the points of the cat as arranged in 

order : 

No. i, Ears : These should be small, and . 

rounded at the tops, carried somewhat for- 

ward, and not wide open at the base. In the 

Persian varieties especially the inner surface 

should be hidden by a growth 

of fur extend- 

ing from the face, termed ear tufts. It is a 

in the cat to have the ears set well 

beauty 

apart, giving an appearance of greater width to 

the head. The outer portion of the ears should 

be evenly covered with soft, short, downy fur. 

No. 2, Eyes : These ought to be round, 

large, and full. A small, beady eye is a 

great disfigurement in a cat. The eyes should 

be set straight in the head, not slanting 

like those of a Chinese. In the Persian 

varieties a fringe of overhanging fur greatly 

improves and softens the expression. The 

colour varies in different breeds, but in green, 

orange, or blue eyes, purity and depth of 

colour should prevail. Very often an orange 

eye is spoilt by an inner rim of green, and a 

blue eye is weakened by a paler 

shade of 

blue, giving the appearance of an opal. 

No. 3, Skull : Should be broad, with width 

between the eyes and ears. 

No. 4, Cheeks : Well developed. 

No. 5, Face and nose : These should be 

short ; if the contrary, a " snipey " appearance 

is given to the cat, which quite spoils the 

expression. 

No. 6, Chest : Should be full and broad. 

No. 7, Neck : Short and full. 

Nos. 8 and 9, Shoulder and fore arm : 

These call for no special remarks ; but in 

male cats especially firm and massive limbs 

are most desirable.

No. 10, Paw : 

short but not stumpy 

A 

large, broad paw, with 

feet. In the Persian 

varieties the tufts are an additional beauty. 

Nos. ii and 12. Body and back : There 

is a diversity of opinion as to whether a cat 

should be long in the body or of cobby build. 

I incline to the latter as regards beauty of 

form, but I am of opinion that female cats 

with long bodies are the best breeders. All 

cats should be low in the legs. 

No. 13, Tail or brush : In both breeds this 

should be short rather than long, and in the 

Persian varieties broad and spreading. The 

tail should be carried almost on a level with 

the body, and slightly curving upwards towards 

the end. A too-tapering tail is a defect. 

Nos. 14, 15, and 16 call for no further 

remark beyond the desirability of in form. 

symmetry 

The list foregoing of points in a cat may be 

of some service to novices in the fancy, but 

it is necessary to add that, as in all animals, 

condition is a very important factor. A cat 

POAVTS" Of A CAT. 97 

(Photo: C. Reid, Wisha-u.) 

may be perfect in all points, and yet if in 

either the long- or short-haired varieties the 

coat lacks softness of texture, and in Persians 

the fur is matted or draggled, such specimens 

cannot expect to find favour in the eyes of 

a critical judge, or even an ordinary lover of 

cats. In short-haired breeds there is an un- 

mistakable gloss on the coat of a cat that is 

in good health. A spikey appearance of the 

fur always denotes poor condition, and greatly 

detracts from the charms and chances of our 

pets or show cats. A great deal depends in 

keen competition upon condition. It turns the 

scale in a vast majority of instances. There- 

fore, as great attention should be paid to 

this point as to those set forth in the list I 

have given. 

A small yet distinctive feature in a cat is 

the whiskers, and these vary in colour, according 

to the breed. They should be strong and 

yet sensitive, and curving slightly inwards. 

It is supposed to be a sign of strength if a 

cat's whiskers attain a great length.

IN classing all long-haired cats as Persians 

I may be wrong, but the distinctions, 

apparently with hardly any difference, 

between Angoras and Persians are of so fine a 

nature that I must be pardoned if I ignore the 

class of cat commonly called Angora, which 

seems gradually to have disappeared from our 

midst. Certainly, at our large shows there is 

no special classification given for Angoras, and 

in response to many inquiries from animal 

fanciers I have never been able to obtain 

any 

definite information as to the difference 

between a Persian and an Angora cat. Mr. 

Harrison Weir, in his book on cats, states that 

the Angora differs somewhat from the Persian 

in that the head is rather smaller and ears 

larger, fur more silky with a tendency to 

woolliness. 

It is, however, my intention to confine my 

division of cats to long-haired or Persian cats, 

and short-haired or English and foreign cats. 

In both these breeds there are " self-coloured," 

" 

broken-coloured," and " " 

any other coloured 

varieties. 

A BLUE PERSIAN BELONGING TO MRS. WELLS. 

(Photo : Ward, Hounslow.) 

CHAPTER VII. 

LONG-HAIRED OR PERSIAN CATS. 

In the foregoing references to the diagram 

of the cat I have touched upon the points of 

the animal, which are practically the same as 

regards the form of body and limb in both longand 

short-haired breeds of cats. 

In comparing the dispositions of these two 

allowed that 

breeds, I think it is generally 

Persian cats are not so amiable, or so reli- 

able in their temper, as the short-haired varie- 

ties. I am inclined to think, however, that 

they are more intelligent, and have a greater 

instinctive desire to make themselves at home 

in their surroundings. They are apparently as 

keen hunters of prey as the short-haired cats. 

When we come to the question of stamina and 

general health, I certainly 

think the Persian 

must, so to speak, " go to the wall." 

It is a common belief that, in human beings, 

if the hair grows long and thick it is a sign 

of great strength and a good constitution : 

but as regards cats the longer the coat the 

weaker the animal. This I have specially 

noticed in Persian kittens, and have remarked 

that little mites with unusually long fur are

the most difficult to rear, and suffer from ex- 

treme delicacy. Perhaps in-breeding amongst 

Persian varieties has been more carried on 

than with the short-haired breeds, which are 

allowed a greater freedom of choice, and there- 

fore are the result of natural selection. 

Apart from the question 

LOXG-HAIRED OR PERSIAN CATS. 99 

of health and 

strength, Persian cats require a great deal 

more care and attention on account of the 

long fur. In the spring Persian cats begin 

to shed their coats, and this process continues 

through the summer months, and it is not 

till about October that the new fur begins 

to grow again. Persian cats may be considered 

in their finest condition during the 

months of December and January. It is a 

wise provision of Nature that during the 

coldest months these somewhat delicate cats 

should have their warmest clothing. It has 

often been a matter of surprise that cat shows 

should ever be held in the summer, when 

long-haired pussies present a most unkempt 

and moth-eaten appearance. In this con- 

dition they arc not likely to win converts to 

the cult of the cat ; but from an educational 

point of view these unclothed specimens give 

the judge an opportunity of displaying his 

ability, for it needs a really capable judge, 

with experience, knowledge, and good common- 

sense, to allow for absence of coat, and to 

place the awards accordingly. Under summer 

skies shape and bone will have their innings, 

whereas a grand winter coat may hide a 

multitude of sins that even the eagle eye of 

the most astute judge may fail to discover. 

At the same time, for a breed 

of cats called " long-haired " the 

coat ought to demand the greatest 

consideration ; for what is the 

good of the most perfect shape 

in a Persian cat, if it is exhibited 

out of coat and almost like an 

English 

short-hair in a class set 

apart for long-haired specimens ? 

No doubt many breeders of 

Persians have been led through 

disappointment to join the ranks 

of short-hair breeders, for it is 

indeed very vexatious and tantalising, after 

having entered a grand-coated cat a month 

before a show, to find your precious pet 

persistently scratching out her fluffy frill and 

shedding the chief glory of her breed before 

the eventful day when you had hoped to reap 

golden awards. 

As regards Persian kittens, the change of 

coat takes place between the ages of three and 

six months. In some cases long-haired kittens 

will -east their fur to such an extent as to 

present the appearance of an uneven shorthaired 

specimen, whereas in others the shed- 

that the transition 

ding process is so gradual 

stage from a kitten to a cat is hardly more 

discernible in the long- than in the short-haired 

breeds. Any severe illness may cause the 

fur to come out of Persian cats at any season 

of the year, and the growth of the new coat 

will be retarded by poor condition of the skin. 

In both long- and short-haired cats, as in other 

animals, the teeth are the chief guide in 

deciding the age, and a kitten may be said to 

become a cat after six months, when the adult 

dental process is completed, and the second 

set of teeth has become established. And 

here I would quote from Mr. John Jennings' 

" 

interesting book on Domestic or Fancy 

Cats" hi-support of. my twofold classification: 

" 

Of the many varieties or breeds of the cat 

GENTIAN',' ' 

OWNED BY LADY MARCUS BEKESFORD. 

(I'liolo : B. Landor, Eating.)


with which we are now familiar, 

it must be 

remembered that, however crossed, selected, 

re-crossed, domesticated, or what not, we 

have but two breeds on which the superstructure 

of what is known to-day as the 

' 

classification of varieties ' 

has been reared 

viz. the long-hair or Eastern cat, and the short- 

hair or Euro- 

pean. 

term 

The 

' 

breed ' 

is even here 

used advisedly, 

for whatever 

MRS. HERRING'S " CHAMPION JIMMY." 

(Photo : W. Morice, Lewisham High Road.) 

the outer covering or coat, colour, or length of 

fur, the contour of each and all is practically 

the same. 

Nor is this confined to mere outline. Take 

the skull, for example, which measured in 

the usual manner with shot, making due 

allowance for difference in size, is not only 

similar in the different varieties of either 

long- or short-hair, but even in the wild cat 

the anatomy is similar, the slight variation 

being in a great measure explained by its 

different conditions of life and diet, and is in 

unison with the fact of how even the ordinary 

domestic cat will undergo a change in taking 

up a semi-wild, outdoor existence." 

At the present time there is no doubt that 

long-haired cats are the more popular, and, 

judging by the entries at our large shows, the 

numbers may be taken as four to one. A 

slight reaction has set in since short-haired 

societies have been formed, but the fascina- 

tion for fluffy pets and pretty pussies will, 

I think, always predominate, for the less attractive 

points of the English domestic cat 

do not appeal so strongly to the heart and 

the eye of the general public. 

It may be remarked ' : 

by the readers of The 

Book of the Cat " that very few pictures of 

short-haired cats are reproduced ; 

and 

it is 

just because the long-haired pussies are so 

much more attractive that they are brought 

into greater prominence in this work. It is 

more difficult to obtain nice photographs of 

short-haired cats, probably because the owners 

of these less expensive pets do not think it is 

worth while to spend their money or to go to 

any trouble over having a good picture taken. 

As regards the coloured plates appearing in 

this work, care has been taken to instruct the 

artists to bring out as prominently as possible 

the special points of the cats, long- and short- 

haired. It is the first time that coloured 

plates 

attempted ; 

of the different kinds of cats have been 

and it is hoped that, as types of 

each breed, these will prove useful to fanciers 

and instructive to the cat-loving public.

101 

THE HON. MRS. MCLAREN MORRISON'S CATTERY AT KEPW1CK. 

BEFORE entering upon a description of 

the various breeds, it may be interesting 

to my readers to give a short account, 

with illustrations (photographs for which have 

been specially taken for this chapter), of the 

catteries of some well-known fanciers who 

have not confined themselves to any special 

breed or variety. 

Lady Decies' catteries, at her pretty summer 

residence at Birchington-on-Sea, are indeed 

most perfect in their arrangements, and every 

detail for the comfort and well-being of the 

inmates is considered. The stud cats have 

separate single houses, with good-sized wiredin 

runs, and luxurious and cosy sleeping apart- 

ments in the rear. 

The main cattery is in a sheltered portion 

7* 

CHAPTER VIII. 

SOME NOTABLE CATTERIES. 

of the grounds, and will accommodate a large 

number of cats. The runs are arranged with 

boxes, benches, chairs, and ladders, and the 

sleeping places, built of brick, are most comfortably 

fitted up. By a system of wooden 

blinds the strong sea breezes and the bright rays 

of the summer sun can be regulated. There 

are side blinds and top blinds. The floors of 

the spacious catteries are wood, covered with 

cork carpet, and they 

are raised about a 

foot from the ground, so that there is a free 

current of air passing under the boards, thus 

securing absolute freedom from any damp. 

In the house there are three rooms set apart 

by Lady Decies for her pussies. In two of 

these the queen mothers have their families, 

and the other is used as the cats' kitchen.

IO2 THE BOOK OF THE CAT. 

The beds for the cats are specially designed 

Decies. The walls of the cats' rooms 

by Lady 

are adorned with pictures by Louis Wain, 

and there is a display of prize cards won by 

Lady Decies' famous cats. 

" 

Zaida," so well 

known as the winning silver female, is the 

privileged occupant of Lady Decies' boudoir, 

and here the aristocratic little lady makes her- 

self at home on the soft cushions and couches. 

The famous " Lord Southampton " is now 

in the possession of Lady Decies, and resides 

in one of the up-to-date catteries at Beresford 

Lodge. He was purchased at a very high 

price. Since his change of ownership he has 

not frequently appeared in public, but in the 

past he was a noted winner. It is, however, 

as a silver sire that he attained his success 

and made his name. It is well-nigh im- 

possible to mention his numerous winning 

children. His name in a pedigree is a safe 

guarantee for quality and colour. 

The two Siamese cats have warm quarters 

in the stable cottage. 

Lady Decies' pets comprise both long- and 

short-haired cats. Among the latter " Xeno- 

phon " is generally considered as the best 

specimen of a brown tabby, and has a long 

prize-winning record. A woman and a boy 

are kept to attend to the wants of these aris- 

tocratic animals. 

The Bishopsgate cattery may be said to 

have won a worldwide renown, and those who 

have been privileged to visit the ideal residence 

with me 

of Lady Marcus Beresford will agree 

that it is impossible to give any idea either 

by photography or description of the delightful 

dwelling places set apart for the pussies 

belonging to this true lover and fancier of the 

feline race. 

There is the cat cottage, where the attend- 

ant has her rooms, and where the other apartments 

are especially fitted up for the cats. 

Here the Siamese have their quarters, and the 

sun streams in at the windows, which face due 

south. Opposite to the cottage, as may be 

seen in the illustration, are some of the cat 

houses, and in the centre is the kitchen. The 

cat attendant stands at the door, and some 

. and 

of the pussies are having their mid-day meal. 

The celebrated " Blue Boy II." occupies a 

house, and in the background is a grass run, 

securely wired in, which is used as a playground 

for the pussies. In the hot summer 

weather this is shaded by the lovely spreading 

beech trees of Windsor Park. 

The stud cats' houses are splendidly ar- 

ranged with sleeping places and nice large 

runs. The space in the centre in front of 

these runs is used as an exercise ground for 

the females and kittens. The garden-house 

a bower 

cattery is, indeed, an ideal one, being 

of roses in the summer-time, and in winter 

an ivy-clad retreat. This house is divided 

into two apartments, and these are generally 

used for the queen mothers and their families. 

On the shelves along the windows the pussies 

sit and sun themselves. 

Truly the lives of inmates of the Bishops- 

gate catteries are spent in peace and plenty, 

and when their little span of life is over they 

find a resting place under the shadow of the 

grand old trees, and a little white tombstone 

with a loving inscription marks the spot of 

pussy's last long sleep. 

Lady Marcus Beresford has had almost 

every 

breed of cat under the sun at her cat- 

teries, but of recent years she has specially 

taken up silvers, blues, and Siamese, and a 

of each of these varieties is 

grand specimen 

in the stud at Bishopsgate. Amongst some 

of the celebrated cats owned by Lady Marcus 

Beresford I may mention " Lifeguard," a 

" " 

Tachin 

grand orange of massive build ; 

" Cambodia," two imported Siamese with 

" 

Cora," a tortoiseshell-and- 

perfect points ; 

white of great beauty, and " Kismet," a brown 

tabby of exquisite shape, both imported ; and 

" 

Cossy," a smoke that has found a home in 

America. At the present time three of the 

most notable inmates of the Bishopsgate cat- 

tery, representing blues, silvers, and Siamese, are 

"Blue Boy II.," "Beetle," and "King of Siam." 

One of the largest catteries in Scotland, 

where the fancy grows apace, is owned by 

Mrs. Mackenzie Stewart, of Seagate House. 

Irvine. Mrs. Stewart has possessed several


A SLEEPING BOX IN LADY DECIES 1 

(Photo : Cassell & Company, Limited.') 

CATTERY. 

notable cats of different breeds. Her blue 

stud cat "Ronald" has made himself a name 

in the south of England as well 

as in the north. Mrs. Stewart 

has had silvers, creams, brown tab- 

bies, and is now the owner of the 

celebrated black . 

stud 

cat 

" Dick 

Fawe," who has sired many -winning 

kittens. The severe weather of this 

part of Scotland seems to suit these 

Persian cats, for a healthier, hardier 

set of pussies one could not wish to 

see than those disporting themselves 

in the pleasantly situated catteries 

of Seagate House. Mrs. Mackenzie 

Stewart is a most enthusiastic fancier, 

and often takes the long journey down 

South to bring her pets to the London 

shows. She has acted as judge 

in Scotland and England, and a con- 

tingent from the Seagate cattery is 

generally to be seen and admired at 

most of our large shows. 

To old fanciers and exhibitors the 

name of Mrs. H. Warner is familiar. 

It was as Mrs. Warner, in 1889, that 

the Hon. Mrs. McLaren Morrison first 

exhibited a black cat called "Imp" 

at the Crystal Palace Show ; and as 

black cats are said to bring luck, this 

puss took a first, and, thus encouraged, 

his owner commenced her " 

catty " 

career. In the following year, I note, 

by the catalogue, that Mrs. H. Warner 

had fourteen entries, and amongst 

these were two imported cats and 

the celebrated black Persian " Satan," 

who departed this life in 1902. As 

late as 1897 this superb fellow, with 

glorious orange eyes, won everything 

he could (in spite of his age) at the 

Crystal Palace. There remains a 

worthy son of this worthy sire at the 

Kepwick cattery, named " Lucifer." 

It was in 1890 that Mrs. McLaren 

Morrison, then Mrs. H. Warner, made 

her name as an exhibitor of white 

Persians ; for no less than six of this 

breed put in an appearance and gained prizes 

at Sydenham. Mrs. McLaren Morrison writes : 

LADY DECIKS VISITING HER PETS. 

(Photo : Cassell & Company, Limited.)

" I have always been lucky with black cats, 

both long- and short-haired ; but I especially 

love white Persians, and, in fact, at one time 

I owned a ' 

white cattery.' I may say I still 

have some good specimens namely, 

' 

Musefer,' 

' 

Queen of the Pearls,' and 

' 

Lily.' I love 

the imported cats, and always get them when 

I can. I have nine now at Kepwick. One 

of these hails from Patagonia and one from 

Afghanistan. My cattery 

at one time was 

twice again as full as 

now ; but my losses 

have been great, and 

I have reduced the 

numbers so that I 

may give more attention 

stock. 

to the young 

" 

It is only recently 

I have really gone in 

for orange Persians, 

encouraged by the 

wins of ' 

Puck ' 

at the 

Botanical. I love this 

beautiful variety, but 

consider the queens 

of this breed very delicate. 

I have owned 

some fine blues at 

different times, and 

purchased for 25 a 

beautiful fellow, bred 

from ' 

Beauty Boy,' 

at the Crystal Palace 

many years ago 

; but, 

alas ! he came home only to die. Foremost 

amongst my blues ranked my late 

Champion ' 

Monarch,' who held the Beresford 

Cup. Of late years I have taken up silvers. 

My first Chinchilla was Champion ' 

ancestor of such cats as ' 

' 

' 

Ameer.' I bought Nizam ' 


St. Anthony ' 

Nizam,' 

and 

at the Crystal 

Palace in the early days of silvers, and he only 

took second prize, because, I was assured, he was 

' 

' 

too light 

for first. I have a few Russians. 

and have 

I am most devoted to my pussies, 

tried to persevere in breeding good stock in 

MRS. MACKENZIE STEWART'S CATTERY 

the face of very great difficulties. I do not 

much care about running the risk of showing, 

but a true fancier likes to support all well- 

arranged cat shows." 

Mrs. Collingwood, of Leighton Buzzard, is a 

most ardent lover of cats, but it is only of 

recent years that she has been before the 

public 

this time, however, 

as a fancier and exhibitor. During 

many have been the 

honours showered on 

the lucky inmates of 

the Bossington cat- 

tery. 

Mrs. Collingwood 

has great difficulty, 

so she tells me, in 

keeping her number 

of cats down to about 

thirty ! 

She 

likes 

these to be equally 

divided between longand 

short-haired pussies 

; so there are 

all sorts and varieties. 

Blues have been great 

favourites, and Mrs. 

Collingwood 

is on 

the Blue Persian Cat 

Society Committee. 

" Royal Bobs," a big, 

massive blue male, 

has done a lot of 

winning. He was 

bred by the Princess 

Victoria of Schleswig- 

" " 

Jill also inhabits 

Holstein. His sister 

one of the twelve cathouses 

distributed over five acres of the 

Bossington grounds. These smaller houses 

are mostly on wheels. The larger houses are 

kept for females and their families, and sometimes 

a corner of the hay-loft is set apart for 

a nursing mother. The male cats have their 

liberty during the morning, and then the 

females enjoy their afternoons out. Mrs. 

Collingwood does not keep a stud cat, but there 

are neuter pets that have their run about the 

house, and have their meals in a corner of the

io6 THE BOOK OF THE CAT. 

dining-room. Mrs. Collingwood intends going principal shows this enthusiastic lady is a 

in strongly for smokes in the future ; and prominent figure, and in the quantity and 

although possessed of extremely good shorthaired 

cats, this ambitious fancier is desirous 

of breeding a perfect silver tabby and a like- 

" " 

wise equally perfect orange tabby. James 

is a beautiful specimen of a silver tabby, and 

during this year alone has won eight first 

prizes. 

At Altrincham he had the honour of 

claiming championship 

and silver medal for the 

best cat in the show, 

beating all the longhaired 

cats that generally 

carry off this coveted 

prize ; and at the Crystal 

Palace he was the 

admired of all admirers, 

with a number of prize 

tickets covering his pen. 

I know many cat-loving 

people, but I do not 

think I have ever seen 

greater 

devotion shown 

to the feline race than is 

displayed at Bossington. 

Mrs. Collingwood is ever 

ready to support cat 

shows by entries, by 

guaranteeing classes, and 

by giving handsome 

prizes. Her cats are 

always shown in the 

pink of condition, and it 

is seldom they appear THE IM"'A * TREE, MRS. CLARKE'S CATTERY 

in the pens unless their 

devoted mistress is in attendance. Mrs. Col- 

lingwood kindly had the accompanying photo- 

graphs specially taken for this chapter. 

Perhaps no name is better known in the cat 

world than that of Mrs. Herring, of Lestock 

House, Lee, who has for nearly twenty years 

been a prominent fancier and breeder of both 

long- and short-haired cats. Mrs. Herring is 

a member of the National Cat Club Committee, 

and also belongs to several of the specialist 

clubs, and is a member of the Cat Club and 

the Northern Counties Cat Club. At all the 

(fhoto: Mrs. S. F. Clarke.) 

quality of her exhibits she generally leads the 

way. 

At some of our large shows Mrs. Herring has 

entered from 25 to 30 cats and I have known 

; 

and seen these arrive with their mistress in a 

large omnibus or van. It is no light under- 

taking to prepare such a number of pussies 

for show, and then to 

Amongst many 

convey them carefully to 

the place of exhibition. 

Mrs. Herring started 

with a short-haired sil- 

ver tabby called "Chin," 

and then turned her 

attention to long-haired 

brown tabbies ; and al- 

though every variety of 

cat, both long- and 

short-haired, may be said 

to have existed from 

time to time in the 

Lestock catteries, yet it 

is with tabbies perhaps 

that Mrs. Herring has 

chiefly made her name 

and fame. Champion 

"Jimmy " was a superb 

specimen of a wellmarked 

silver tabby, and 

he carried everything 

before him in the show 

pen. He passed away in 

1900, and I do not think 

we shall see his like again. 

celebrities in the feline 

world which have been born or bred, or have 

found their habitation at the Lestock cattery, I 

may mention " King Saul," the noted tortoiseshell 

torn who still holds a unique position at 

our shows, and won the Coronation Cup at 

" 

the Botanical show. King Alfred," a longhaired 

silver tabby, and " King David," a 

massive blue, are also well-known winners 

of the present day. Mrs. Herring bred some 

sensational silver tabby long-haired kittens, 

" " 

and two of these The Duchess and

''Princess Lestock " 

SOME NOTABLE CATTERIES. TO? 

were exhibited re- 

spectively at the Westminster and Crystal 

Palace shows, and both were speedily claimed 

" 

at the high catalogue price. Floriana," a 

huge, handsome long-haired brown tabby, who 

formerly belonged to Mrs. Herring, has recently 

found a home in America. Siamese and 

Russian cats have not been strangers to this 

cattery, where sometimes the number of 

inmates has been over forty ! Within the 

last few years Mrs. Herring has had to reduce 

her stock, owing to the complaints of neigh- 

hours, who showed no sympathy with the 

feline race, and some excellent, well-arranged 

cat-houses had to be removed, as they somewhat 

encroached on a neighbouring garden 

wall. It must have been a trying time, and 

the weeding-out process a most difficult one, 

for such a really warm-hearted and devoted a 

fancier as Mrs. Herring, whose pussies are all 

pets, and who personally supervises her cattery 

at Lestock House. 

It is not given to all, particularly in large 

towns, to have at their disposal such an 

amount of waste space as their more fortunate 

brethren of the country. I have therefore 

asked Mrs. S. F. Clarke, whose cat photographs 

have been a delight to all our readers, to tell 

MRS. CLARKE S CATTERY. 


us how she manages in her town residence 

at Louth. Here are her notes. 

BREEDING BLUE PERSIANS IN LIMITED SPACE. 

"The successful breeding of blue Persian cats 

in a space so limited that a grass run or green 

trees are things to be desired rather than at- 

tained, requires nice judgment and great care. 

The space at my command for cat keeping and 

breeding purposes is only a back yard, some 

14 yards long by 6 yards wide. This very 

limited space is further curtailed, on one side, 

by my husband's laboratory ; while the cat- 

tery and its covered run cut off another strip 

at the end, of 7 yards by 2 yards, reducing the 

ground available for open air exercise and run 

to a patch about 18 feet by 12 feet, and a 

6 feet. 

nagged portion some 21 feet by 

' 

The space between the front of the labora- 

tory and the nagged path being occupied by a 

small independent house and covered run, is 

very useful either for isolation or a.s a separate 

home for growing kittens. The boundary 

wall is supported by 4-foot wire netting sup- 

ported by 3-foot iron stanchions, thus allowing 

a free edge at the top of about 12 inches to be 

bent inwards and left loose. This I find a suf- 

ficient safeguard against my own cats getting

io8 THE BOOK OF THE CAT. 

out or strange cats getting in a very important 

matter at all times, but especially so at certain 

periods, if breeds are to be kept pure and pussy 

not allowed to make her own arrangements. 

"If I were 

asked for the 

THE HON. MRS. MCLAREN 

MORRISON. 

.- (.Photo Esmi 

very best design 

for building, fitting 

up, and fur- 

nishing 

a small 

cattery, I fear 

I could only 

answer that re- 

quirementsdiffer so in individual 

cases 

that it is im- 

to draw 

possible 

a hard-and-fast 

line that will 

meet all circumstances. 

Here 

is a photo of my 

Callings, Hove.) OWn(p.I07). It 

is the outcome 

of my personal experience, and answers my re- 

quirements fairly well. It is a lean-to structure, 

about 7 yards long by 2 yards wide. The back 

and one end is formed by the north and west 

boundary walls, while the east end joins the 

dwelling-house, thus giving it a south aspect 

and complete shelter from north and east 

winds. It is divided into two unequal portions, 

the smaller (east) portion, 6 feet by 6 

feet, forming the cat-house proper ; 

portion 

the longer 

is the covered run. The front of the 

house is built of i-inch wood, with a lining of 

wood leaving an air space of about 3 inches 

between the outer and inner surface of the 

front and dividing partition. The roof is of 

corrugated iron, with a ceiling of wood about 

4 inches below. This arrangement of double 

walls and roof secures reasonable warmth in the 

winter, but not quite sufficient coolness for 

mothers and kittens during the height of the 

summer. So the roof is then covered with a 

large white sheet hooked to the wall about 12 

inches above the roof and carried over a rail 

in front about the same height, and there 

securely fastened. This arrangement insures 

not only a reasonable temperature, but also a 

never-ending source of exercise and amusement 

for both cats and kittens, some gambolling 

above, while others hide beneath the sheet. 

An ordinary sun blind along the front com- 

pletes the summer arrangements. The front 

of the covered run is closed in with inch mesh 

wire netting from ground to roof, fitted on the 

inside with removable shutters, 18 inches high, 

and, above these, removable window-sashes, 

closing in as desired. These are held in place 

with turn-buttons, so they are easily removed 

or replaced in a couple of minutes, a great convenience 

in wet or changeable weather, and 

in the winter. The run is 

proving very cosy 

fitted with shelves for the cats to lie upon, a 

table, sleeping boxes, earth pans, two chairs, 

and an artificial tree covered with cork, which 

is a source of great pleasure when the cats 

are confined by bad weather to the run. The 

open run consists, as before mentioned, of a 

space about 18 feet by 12 feet ; this is covered 

with gravel (which in such limited space should 

be renewed at least once a year), with the 

exception of a strip some 18 inches wide 

by 6 feet long on the west side, and two small 

corners on the east side, reserved for grass. 

This grass reserve, which is most important 

for the keeping of Persian cats in good health, 

is renovated every spring with fresh lawn seed, 

and should either of the patches suffer unduly 

from special attentions from the pets, it is 

wired in so as to protect it until it recovers. 

By this plan my cats secure a supply of grass 

all the year round. In the centre of the gravel 

space I have another artificial tree (see photo), 

about 8 feet high ; it is as great a favourite 

as the one in the run, and as it is hung with a 

loose cord, a few ping-pong balls, 

never-ending source of fun and 

etc., it 

frolic. 

is a 

To 

supplement the ground space, I place ladders 

leading to the tops of the roofs of the outbuildings 

and cattery, which afford extra 

space for exercise and a charming, interesting, 

and envious outlook for the cats into my 

neighbour's garden. It is surprising how soon

the kittens learn to climb up and enjoy the 

roofs. 

" The sleeping house contains two wired-in 

runs going round two sides, about 2 feet by 

12 feet long, containing nest-box, earth pan, 

etc. These are very useful for keeping a queen 

and litter of small kittens in. There are also 

two smaller wired-in runs, 2 feet by 6 feet, 

fitted like the larger ones, so that a cat may be 

shut up at any time if necessary. The queens 

in the smaller runs in the winter. Be- 

sleep 

neath the runs a small cupboard is very useful 

for odds and ends of all kinds. 

"In so limited a space cleanliness is of the 

utmost importance. The house and runs should 

be swept out, and the earth pans should be 

changed, washed, and disinfected every day. 

The question of supplying dust for the pans 

may prove a source of anxiety to the breeder 

confined to a limited space. In winter the 

dwelling-house fires supply about sufficient 

ashes daily ; in summer I am compelled to 

fall back upon sawdust, which answers the 

purpose very well, only entailing a little extra 

litter in the runs and more grooming of the 

coats. Whatever the difficulty in this direc- 

tion, it must be overcome and the pans daily 

changed. The floors and shelves, both in cathouse 

and covered run, should be washed with 

hot water containing some disinfectant at 

least once a week, and the wired-in runs for 

cats and kittens thoroughly done out with 

hot Sanitas distemper every time they are re- 

quired for fresh occupants. All bedding should 

be changed at least once a week, and as little 

of it used as possible in summer. All plates, 

etc., used for food must be thoroughly washed 

after each meal. 

" In a space such as I have described my cats 

have to be kept, for they are allowed into the 

dwelling-house by special invitation only ; 

SOME NOTABLE CATTERIES. IOQ 

but 

they each receive this treat at least once during 

the day. 

"As to the number of : queens two or three are 

ample where space is so limited. Where the 

fresh air run is a back yard, blues are the very 

best of all colours, as with a daily grooming 

they always look clean and presentable. 

In a 

space such as we are considering 

on any account recommend the keeping of a 

I would not 

stud cat. The want of necessary exercise 

would be cruelty to it ; and the very limited 

surroundings unfair to those who might wish 

for his services. 

" It is of imperative importance that the 

queens you commence with be of pure blue 

pedigree ; if prize-winners so much the better, 

as their kittens will sell more readily. 

" When mating, be sure that your queen is in 

perfect health, and do not mate her too young 

in my opinion twelve months is young 

enough, in the interest of mother and family. 

See that the stud cat chosen be also of the 

best possible strain. That he be a noted prizewinner 

is of less importance than that he 

should be able to produce kittens that will win. 

He must have size, bone, strength, soundness 

of colour, 

length of 

coat, and 

good eyes. 

These are 

indispensablerequirements 

if good 

blues are to 

MRS. COLLINGWOOD AND "JAMES II. 

(Photo : Alice Hughes, Cower Street.) 

be produced. He should especially be strong 

in those points where your queen may be 

somewhat weak ; thus if the queen be de- 

ficient in length of coat or frill, or in colour,

no THE BOOK OF THE CAT. 

shape, or boldness of eye, see that, the selected 

stud-cat excels in those points, and so, as far 

as possible, correct and balance the points 

required between the parents. One must not 

expect to find perfection in any one cat. By 

using care, judgment, and forethought in 

mating our pets, we shall go a good way towards 

establishing in our strain the points necessary 

to build up the perfect blue Persian. 

" 

All my kittens have been born in a Japanese 

dress basket, with the lid standing on its side 

and the bottom half thrust into it cradlewise. 

The outside of the basket proper is trimmed 

with a flounce, which helps to keep out 

draughts ; over the top is thrown a small 

cloth table-cover, which covers, at will, the 

whole or part of the opening, thus making the 

little one's house a pretty thing to lock at. 

When any one of my queens is about to have 

a family I 

' 

flee-flea ' 

her, which I consider 

most essential for the future comfort of both 

mother and kittens ; then I bring her into the 

house three or four days before the expected 

event. For the time being the expectant 

mother becomes the house cat. I let her find 

her own bed, which has already been prepared 

for her, by carefully closing all other places she 

might be likely otherwise to choose. When 

her time comes I stay with her during her 

trouble ; but never interfere unless it is abso- 

lutely necessary. 

" A few encouraging words, and the fact that 

one is near, seems to give her comfort. If a 

queen shows much exhaustion, I give a little 

Brand's Essence with a few drops of brandy in a 

but if all goes smoothly I let well alone. 

spoon ; 

There is no need to press food upon the mother ; 

she will not require it until some time after the 

births are complete. A little warm milk or 

gruel offered between the births may sometimes 

prove a comfort ; but many queens 

will not 

touch it. For about three weeks, that is to 

say until the little ones creep out of their beds, 

I keep the queen and her family in the dwellinghouse 

with me, changing her bed every other 

day. After the first week I make it a rule to 

handle the kittens at least once a day, and if 

the queen has more than three to bring up I 

begin, at two weeks old, feeding them three 

times a day with a few drops of warm sweet- 

ened milk from a spoon, increasing the quantity 

very gradually as they grow. I never 

wake the kittens to feed them sleep is as 

necessary as food ; but always arrange to 

feed them just after the little ones wake ; they 

are then hungry, and that is the best time to 

assist and relieve the mother. It is surprising 

how soon the kits enjoy being fed and look out 

for the friendly spoon. 

" As soon as the little ones can get out of their 

bed they must be introduced to a shallow tin 

filled with ashes or earth. I prefer ashes to 

sawdust for very little kittens, and I find at a 

month old they will regularly use it. This early 

lesson in cleanliness is invaluable, as later on, 

with reasonable care, they never forget it. 

When the kittens are from three weeks to a 

month old I remove them, with the mother 

(or foster-mother), to their own little run in 

the cattery, where I visit them three or four 

times a day. When they grow stronger, and 

as early as the weather will permit, they are 

introduced to the open-air run, 

and the other cats. 

the sunshine, 

" 

I begin the grooming as early as possible, 

daily brushing the little things in their bed or 

on my lap ; it improves the fur, and the more 

they are groomed the sooner they get to like and 

kittens two or three 

enjoy it. When grooming 

months old, I generally have three or four try- 

ing to get under the brush at the same time, 

endeavouring to push the favoured one out of 

the way. I am strongly of opinion that the 

frequent handling of kittens does not do them 

any harm, but does tend to improve their 

temper and increase their gentleness. When 

I have callers the kittens are invariably 

fetched, introduced to, and fondled by the 

visitors, so that they become not the least 

afraid of strangers ; 

as a result, when they go 

to new homes they come out of their basket 

without fear, making themselves immediately 

at home, much to the comfort of themselves 

and their new owners. 

" The best time to dispose of kittens is at 

about eight weeks old. Breeders with limited

space must sell young and quickly, keeping 

only the one or two of the season thev may 

either wish to show or turn into next year's 

brood queens. To get overcrowded is to 

court disease and disappointment, so sell early 

for the best price you can get ; but sell you 


A MORNING MEAL AT BOSSINGTON. 

(Photo: A. J. Anderson & Co., Luton.) 

must, even if the price does not seem any- 

thing approaching the true value of the kittens. 

The first loss will be the known loss most 

certainly far less than that involved in the risk 

of keeping one or two more kittens than youi 

space should accommodate."

112 

BLACK PERSIAN " JOHNNIE PASTE, OWNED BY DR. ROPER. 

1VTEVER have these truly handsome cats 

i.\ received the amount of admiration and 

attention which they deserve. There 

are fewer breeders of black Persians than of 

any other variety, the two most noted fanciers 

being Dr. Roper and Mr. Robert Little. Both 

of these gentlemen have owned and exhibited 

very handsome specimens ; Miss Kirkpatrick 

has also bred some lovely black kittens. The 

entries in the black classes at our shows are 

almost invariably the smallest ; but as a 

specialist club for black and white Persians 

has been started, it is hoped more encouragement 

will be given to the breeders of these 

handsome self-coloured cats. 

As in the other self-coloured cats, the chief 

point is absolute uniformity of colour throughout. 

It is fatal for a black cat to have a brown, 

rusty tinge ; it should be a glossy jet black, 

betraying no bands or bars in the full light, 

and having no undercoat of a lighter shade, 

and, above all, no spot or tuft of white hairs 

on the throat. This latter is a very common 

fault amongst black cats, and it is one which 

(Photo: Lavender, Bromley.) 

CHAPTER IX. 

BLACK PERSIANS. 

takes away enormously from the value of the 

specimen, for either show or breeding purposes. 

In some other varieties of Persian cats two, 

or even three, colours for eyes are permissible ; 

but a really good black cat must have the full 

round eyes of deep orange, and very attrac- 

tive are these gleaming orbs, shining forth 

from their dense black surroundings. When 

black cats are changing their coats they often 

present a very rusty appearance, and newly 

born kittens are sometimes like balls of brown 

fluff. These, however, frequently grow up 

the very best-coloured blacks. This breed is 

very strong and healthy, and often grow into 

large, massive cats. A tortoiseshell female is 

a splendid mate for a black male, and some 

of the most noted blacks have been bred in 

this way. Two brown tabbies will generally 

produce one, if not more, good blacks in a 

litter. 

Black cats have been found very useful 

to breeders of silver tabbies and smokes 

for this reason that these two breeds re- 

quire to have their markings and colourings

intensified. That is, a silver tabby with dark 

grey markings is not a true type, 

BLACK PERSIANS. 

and a smoke 

with an upper coat of cinder colour does not 

represent the true smoke. Therefore the 

introduction of a black cross is often a great 

advantage to these breeds. There is certainly 

not much demand for black kittens, and we 

never hear of very high prices being asked or 

given for these, or, indeed, for full-grown cats. 

But as " every dog has his day," so, perhaps, 

there is a good time coming for blacks ; and 

certainly beginners in the fancy might do worse 

than to provide themselves with a thoroughly 

good black queen, for, anyhow, in exhibiting 

the chance of honours is very much greater 

than when competing in classes in which there 

are so many entries, as in the case of blues and 

silvers. 

For very obvious reasons black cats are 

the very best animals for those living in 

London or near large towns. They can never 

present a dirty appearance, and, therefore, in 

this particular they will always score over the 

whites, creams, and silvers. To keep their 

coats glossy and bright black cats should be 

well brushed and groomed. They will repay 

tor this care and attention. Our American 

cousins call self-coloured cats " solid," and 

as applied to blacks this is especially expres- 

sive, for a black should not have a suspicion 

of any other colour than a dense black. If, 

when the coat is blown apart, a shading of 

8 

grey or blue is seen it is a great 

defect. The 

nose should be black, and the pads of the feet 

also. 

CHAMPION " MENKLIK III. (AMERICAN). 

THE PROPERTY OF MRS. BOND, WASHINGTON. 

I do not remember having seen or heard of 

an imported Persian black cat. In an article 

on imported cats in Our Cats the writer 

(whose name is not given) says: "White cats 

with blue eyes are not often to be obtained 

from abroad, neither are the blacks warranted 

to possess the amber eyes voted correct by 

up-to-date cattists. I know cf a black queen 

straightHrwn the land of cats and the palace 

of the Shah himself ; it had the most glorious 

emerald eyes it is possible to imagine as 

different from the ordinary run of green as 

flaming amber is from faded yellow. This 

cat, a Persian among Persians, had a coat as 

black as the proverbial jet perfectly black 

throughout long and straight, of fine, silky 

texture, but not giving one the impression of 

massiveness that is such a prominent feature 

of the type of imported cat. Moderate in size, 

slightly built, with an expression so foreign that 

it amounted to weirdness. this cat could with 

a dash of imagination have been worked up 

into the incarnation of a spirit, a soothsayer, 

the veiled beauty of a harem, a witch, snake 

charmer what you choose ; but always remain 

something far apart from prosaic England, 

something tinged with romance and the 

picturesqueness cf the mystical 

East. This 

1 * 

black cat was undoubtedly a typical Persian.

As there is such a dearth of good black cats 

in England, it is a pity some enterprising 


breeder does not try to import a really splendid 

specimen, which might bring luck 

and the fancy. 

to himself 

In looking back to the old catalogues of 

Crystal Palace shows, I find the same scarcity 

of blacks exhibited as at the present day. In 

1886 the black male class is marked " no 

entry," and in 1889 Mrs. H. Warner (now the 

Hon. Mrs. McLaren Morrison) makes the sole 

and only entry of " Imp " in the black class. 

It was in the following year, however, that 

this same well-known lady fancier exhibited 

" Satan," a black that was never beaten whilst 

it lived. It was the most remarkable of 

excellence I can remember 

unapproachable 

a veritable triton among minnows. 

In many of the accounts of our largest 

shows I remark such paragraphs as these : 

" Good blacks with orange eyes were conspicuous 

by their absence." Or again: "The 

black classes, as usual, were poorly filled." It 

is, therefore, high 

time that this beautiful 

breed should receive more attention at the 

hands of fanciers, and that not only beginners 

but those who are well known in the cat world 

should take up blacks, and, as the expression 

goes, " run them for all they are worth." At 

present Dr. Roper's and Mr. R. Little's black 

Persians have it all their own way. Mrs. 

Lenty Collins frequently has a look in with 

her wonderful 

" 

big-eyed Forest Beauty," and 

Mrs. Crowther, in the North, 

is faithful to this 

her favourite breed of cats ; but we want 

some more dusky beauties to swell the ranks 

of black Persians. 

As everyone knows, a vast deal of super- 

stition is connected with a black cat. This is 

what Harrison Weir has to say on the subject : 

" It is often said, 'What's in a name ? ' 

object, whatever it is, by any 

The 

other would 

be the same ; and yet there is much in a 

name. But this is not the question at issue, 

which is that of colour. Why should a black 

cat be thought so widely different from all 

others by the foolish, unthinking, and ignorant ? 

Why, simply on account of its colour being 

black, should it have ascribed to it a numberless 

variety of bad omens, besides having certain 

necromantic power ? In Germany, for in- 

stance, black cats are kept away from children 

as omens of evil ; and if a black cat appealed 

in the room of one lying ill, it was said to 

portend death. To meet a black cat in the 

twilight was held unlucky. In the ' 

good old 

times ' 

a black cat was generally the only 

colour that was favoured by men reported to 

be wizards, and black cats were said to be 

the constant companions of witches ; and in 

such horror and detestation were they then 

held that when the unfortunate creatures 

were ill-treated, drowned, or even burned, 

very frequently, we are told, their cats suffered 

martyrdom at the same time. It is possible 

that one of the reasons for such wild, savage 

have arisen from the fact of 

superstition may 

the larger amount of electricity to be found 

by 

friction in the coat of the black cat than of 

any other ; experiments prove 

very 

there is but 

little either in that of the white or the 

red tabby cat. Be this as it may, still the fact 

remains that, for some reason or other, the 

black cat is held by the prejudiced ignorant 

as an animal most foul and detestable, and 

wonderful stories are related of their actions 

in the dead of the night during thunderstorms. 

Yet, as far as I can discover, there appears 

little difference either of temper or habit in 

the black cat distinct from that of any other 

colour, though it is maintained by many 

even to this day that black cats are far more 

vicious and spiteful, and of higher courage, 

and this last I admit. Still, when a black cat 

, is enraged and its coat and tail are well ' 

set 

up,' its form distended, its round, bright, 

orange eye all aglow with anger, it certainly 

presents to even the most impartial observer, 

to say the least of it, a most ' 

uncanny ' 

appearance. But, for all this, their admirers 

are by no means few ; and, to my thinking, a 

jet-black cat, fine and glossy in fur and elegantly 

formed, certainly has its attractions." 

But although black cats are supposed to be 

harbingers of evil under some conditions, yet 

in others they are credited with miraculous

K1TTKX BRED BV MISS KIRKI'ATKICK. 

(Photo : K. Landor, Baling.) 

healing powers. In Cornwall, sore eyes in 

children are said to be cured by passing the 

tail of a black cat nine times over the part 

affected ; and in some parts of the country 

the presence in the house of a black cat is 

both an antidote and a cure for epilepsy. 

1 think that most cat fanciers are inclined 

to believe in the possible luck that a stray 

black cat may bring them, and perhaps be 

more inclined to take in a stranger of this 

particular breed than one of another colour. 

There is an old Scotch proverb that : says 

" Whenever the cat o' the house is black, 

The lasses o' lovers will have no lack." 

The celebrated '' 

Fawe " strain of black 

Persians is well known in the fancy. Dr. 

Roper 

has sent me some notes on his famous 

prize-winning cats, together with some useful 

information regarding the breed with which 

his name has become associated : 

" 

For many years black Persians were a 

most popular breed ; but, like fashions, for 

the time being other colours, I regret to see, 

are obtaining more notice from fanciers. For 

years I plodded away 

to breed what I con- 

sidered a perfect black Persian ; at last my 

labours were crowned with success. \Yhat 

can equal a richly coloured, heavily coated, 

black ? 

deep orange-eyed 

" 

In breeding blacks, like any other colour, 

BLACK PERSIANS. iii 

it is essential you should procure the best of 

stock, and be prepared to give a fair sum for 

such, otherwise you are almost sure to be dis- 

appointed in your results, and, maybe, retire 

as a fancier of this colour and try some other ; 

but you will meet with the same fate if you 

hold the same views as to expense. A black 

Persian should be perfect in colour, with 

absence of white hairs, cobby in shape, short 

in leg, tail bushy and not too long, eyes large 

and deep-orange, a good broad head, ears short 

with tufts and well set apart, short face, coat 

long and silky. 

" Having stated the points, I will now give 

my experience of breeding. 

" In my opinion, it is most important the 

sire should be a black, and one of his parents 

a black, whatever colour the queen is. I have 

had greatest success in breeding from a black 

sire and a tortoiseshell queen. Through this 

cross you may get either blacks or tortoise- 

' 

shells. As an instance I quote Johnnie Fawe ' 

(black) and Champion ' 

Dainty 

Diana ' 

(tortoiseshell). 

From these I have bred many 

good blacks, amongst them 

' 

Dick Fawe,' 

' 

Lady Victoria,' and other good ones also 

; 

good tortoiseshells, three of them having taken 

championships. Blacks may also be bred 

from a black and a blue, or two blacks in 

this case, cross the sire with one of his pro- 

geny, which I have found very successful. I 

admit there are other ways of breeding blacks, 

but in my experience the three ways I have 

MRS. LITTLE'S BLACK PERSIAN " COLLKKN." 

(I'lio/o: D. Kn/tle, Beckenlmm.)

suggested have proved 

factory. 

" In breeding, 


to be the most satis- 

to be sure of success so far 

as the eyes are concerned, if possible it is better 

that both parents should have orange eyes, 

the deeper the better ; but it is most essential 

the sire should have good orange eyes. Not- 

withstanding the queen's eyes being light 

amber, by crossing with a good orange-eyed 

sire the kittens are very likely to have goodcoloured 

eyes, but not vice versd. As an instance, 

I once purchased a very handsome 

the age of six months. I remember once giving 

a kitten at three months old which I called 

away 

iron grey and thought would or could never be 

black. Six months after I saw my friend, who 

thanked me very much for the lovely black 

kitten. Two months after seeing him I saw 

the cat : there were no white hairs, and the 

colour was a perfect black. This last Richmond 

show I showed a black kitten, aged seven 

months ; 

THE CAROL SINGKRS. 

(Photo 

black queen, perfect in all points with the 

exception of the eyes, which were very light 

amber. I mated her to ' 

Dick Fawe,' who had 

the deepest orange eyes I have yet seen in a 

black ; the kittens developed orange eyes. I 

have mated in the opposite way, and the result 

has been unsatisfactory so far as the eyes have 

been concerned, and if breeding for show the 

colour of the eyes is most important. The late 

Mr. Welburn, a well-known judge, once said 

in one of his reviews of blacks at a large show 

(I think it was the Crystal Palace), ' 

I scarcely 

think that eyes alone should carry an award, 

yet it is always best to uphold the desired pro- 

perties so hard to obtain.' 

" 

Having bred a litter of black kittens, it 

is unwise to make up your mind what colour 

they are going to be until they have attained 

it took a first, a second, and a special. 

At three months old I thought it was going to 

be a smoke. It was claimed by the Hon. 

: E. Laniior, Ealing.) 

Mrs. McLaren Morrison. I have a kitten 

now, aged three months, perfectly 

bronze in 

colour and a grey frill. I have no doubt at 

seven months old it will be a perfect black. 

I have given these illustrations in order that 

.those who are thinking of going in for blacks 

should not give up all hope of the kittens be- 

coming black until the age I have stated. 

" 

I breed my kittens from January to July, 

and find they do much better in the catteries, 

all of mine being separate ; and I find Spratt's 

movable runs most useful. In showing blacks 

they should be brushed and rubbed with a 

Selvyt cloth daily one month previously and 

kept free of matted hair. The application of 

Brilliantine or American Bay Rum in small 

quantity brushed on gives a perfect gloss to 

their coats."

w' 

H 

< o 

CO 

K U 

0. 

W 

Q 

O 

n

A GREAT 

change has taken place of late 

years in the quantity and quality of these 

beautiful cats, for whereas formerly blue 

eyes were considered quite a rarity, now it is 

seldom we see any yellow-eyed white cats 

exhibited at our principal shows. The most 

perfect type of a white Persian is assuredly 

n8 

CHAPTER X. 

WHITE PERSIANS. 

with human beings, they are extremely 

fiery with their fellows. There are two 

points peculiar to white cats they are 

frequently stone deaf, and they very often 

have odd-coloured eyes. Certainly the deaf- 

ness is a drawback, and in selecting a white 

cat care should be taken to ascertain if the 

JUNGFRAU, SIRE AND GRANDSIKK OK MANY AMERICAN WINNERS. 

to be found amongst the imported cats ; 

(Photo: W. F. Arnold, Oak Park, III.) 

there 

is a certain beauty of form and silkiness of 

fur which is not possessed by the specimens 

bred in this country. They are also generally 

distinguished by unusually long coats, round 

heads, tiny ears, and wonderful toe tufts. 

One of the most lovely white imported cats 

was exhibited by Lady Marcus Beresford at 

the Westminster Cat Club Show in 1900. The 

best judges declared that there was not a 

fault to find with " Nourmahal," but her career 

was a short one. These imported cats are 

often of a rather savage disposition, and, 

although they can be sweet-tempered enough 

specimen is possessed of sound hearing. 

Need- 

less to say, there are many ways of arriving 

at the solution of what is really a mysterious 

dispensation of Providence, for why should 

one particular breed of the feline race be so 

constantly minus this useful sense ? Then, 

again, as regards the quaint arrangement of 

different-coloured eyes. One might not be so 

of white cats were some- 

surprised if the eyes 

times pink, for their noses are pink, and the 

cushions of their feet, and, as in human beings, 

we might expect to have albinos amongst 

cats, namely white with pink eyes ; but 

Harrison Weir states he has never seen pink-

eyed whites, although it has been asserted 

that they exist. This peculiarity, however, 

of odd eyes seems only to be found in white 

cats, the two colours being blue and yellow. 

Occasionally white cats have wonderful sea- 

green eyes ; and, although these are decidedly 

very uncommon, no colour is so com- 

pletely in accord with the purity of the coat 

as eyes of heavenly blue. The tone should 

be not so much of a sapphire as of the deep 

forget-me-not blue. One of the drawbacks 

to white Persians is the difficulty of keeping 

them in spotlessly clean condition. This is 

absolutely impossible if they are living 

WHITE PERSIANS. iig 

in or 

near a town, and certainly a white cat soiled 

is a white cat spoiled. 

As regards the mating of blue-eyed white 

cats, I have been told by experienced breeders 

of this variety that kittens with blue eyes are 

just as frequently bred from odd-eyed parents, 

or, at least, when one of the parents has dif- 

ferent-coloured eyes. It is easy to tell whether 

the baby blue eyes are likely to retain their 

colour or turn yellow. If at about three 

weeks or a month old the blue becomes tinted 

with green, then surely but sadly may we 

our minds that these kittens have 

make up 

not a distinguished career before them, 

for they will see and be seen with yellow eyes. 

It is a pity to try mating white cats with 

any other variety, as broken - coloured cats 

will probably be the result. It frequently 

happens that white kittens, when quite young, 

have smudges of grey on their heads ; these 

gradually disappear. In America white cats 

seem prime favourites, and the demand ex- 

ceeds the supply for importation of white 

Persians with blue eyes. At the last Beres- 

-ford Cat Club Show the entries in the white 

classes were very large. The classification 

included and provided for golden- and blue- 

eyed whites, and these were subdivided ac- 

cording to sex, and all the classes were well 

filled. Mrs. Clinton Locke's "Lord Gwynne" 

is a noted white stud cat on the other side of 

the water, as is also Mrs. Colbourn's '' 

Paris." 

The devotees of the white cat in our own 

country are not many in number. I may 

mention Mrs. Finnic Young and Miss Hunt, 

who are perhaps the most successful breeders 

of whites in Scotland ; and in the south we 

have Mrs. Pettit, whose tribe of blue-eyed 

whites I had recently the pleasure of seeing. 

No' more lovely specimens could be imagined, 

and I counted more than a dozen long-coated, 

full-grown, bonnie blue-eyed beauties, walking 

about in the woods surrounding Mrs. Pettit's 

dwelling-place near St. Leonards - on - Sea. 

The illustration shows Mrs. Pettit surrounded 

by eight of her pretty white pussies. Mrs. 

Westlake, Mrs, Xott, Miss White Atkins, and 

Miss Kerswill are all successful and enthusi- 

astic breeders of white Persians. 

Several well-known fanciers keep one white 

cat amongst their flock. I may mention the 

Hon. Mrs. McLaren Morrison, the owner of 

" 

Musafer," a famous imported puss, and Lady 

Decies, the former possessor of " Powder Puff," 

who has recently been presented to H.H. Prin- 

cess Victoria of Schleswig-Holstein. 

There is 

always a keen demand for white kittens, 

either as pretty pets or, if with correct-coloured 

eyes, for breeding purposes, and, doubtless, 

when more encouragement is given to this 

beautiful variety, there will be an increase of 

fanciers of the white cat, whose praises have 

been sung in fairy tales, nursery rhymes, 

MRS. MCLAREN'S WHITE PERSIAN " LADVSMITH." 

(.Photo: C. Reid Wishaw.)

and by novelists who have a weakness for 

describing interiors with a beautiful white 

Persian cat reclining on the hearthrug. 

I am indebted for the following notes on 

white Persians to Miss M. Hunt, whose beau- 

" " 

tiful white cat Crystal appeared on an 

earlier page, and by an unfortunate mistake 

was stated to be the property of Mrs. Finnie 

Young : 

" The blue-eyed white Persian is, I consider, 

one of the most interesting to breed, and, in 

my experience, no more delicate or difficult 

to rear than any other Persian. 

" 

I have had them now for nearly four years, 

and, I think I may say, with a good deal of 

success. I bought 

' 

in 1898, when 

Crystal ' 

four months old, and she certainly has 

been a good investment. Out of the sixteen 

white kittens she lias had, ten of them have 

been blue-eyed. 

" The very best kitten I owned was never 

exhibited ; he went to Mrs. Champion, who 

considered him the best and healthiest kitten 

for his age she had ever seen. Unfortunately, 

he died suddenly shortly after she had him. He 

was by Champion 'White Friar' ex ' 

and was one of the same litter as ' 

WHITE PERSIANS. 121 

Crystal,' 

Jovial 

Monk,' which did so much winning for Miss 

Ward, who purchased him from me at the 

' 

Crystal ' 

Crystal Palace, where he took first. 

herself has only once been beaten by a white 

cat, and that had not even blue eyes ; but she 

was in splendid coat, and ' 

Crystal ' 

was quite 

put of coat. Most judges are agreed, I think, 

that 

' 

is the best blue-eyed white 

Crystal ' 

female in the country. 

" The colour of the eyes of white kits can be 

told much earlier than in any other colour ; 

some I can tell as soon as they are open, others 

I am not quite sure of till they are about a 

fortnight old. The eyes are generally bright 

blue from the beginning, without a shade of 

kitten grey in them. I do not think that both 

parents having blue eyes makes much difference 

to the number of blue-eyed kits in the 

litter. If one parent is blue-eyed and the 

other odd-eyed the result is often just as good. 

I know of a green-eyed queen which had a 

litter of three by Champion ' 

White Friar '- 

all were blue-eyed. 

" 

As to deafness, I cannot account for it at 

all, as it often appears, though both parents 

have perfect hearing. 

" 

Since Mrs. Finnie Young and I purchased 

' 

White Friar ' 

in 1900, whites have become 

much more plentiful in Scotland, and the com- 

petition is now very keen indeed up North. 

' 

White Friar ' 

has had a very successful 

career_ since he came into our hands, both as 

sire and on the show bench, and can still hold 

his own against all comers. He has won 

sixteen first prizes since 1900, besides cham- 

pionships and numerous specials." 

Mrs. Champion, whose name is well known 

in " catty " circles, and who has now left these 

shores for America, did a great deal to estab- 

lish a thoroughly good strain of white, blueeyed 

Persians. Her celebrated " White Friar " 

(now in the possession of Mrs. Finnie Young 

and Miss Hunt) is justly considered the finest 

male specimen in the fancy. Certainly he 

could only have been beaten by his son " White 

Tsar," bred by Mrs. Champion 

from her 

"White Witch." This cat, which assuredly 

would have had a notable career, was sold by 

Mrs. Champion for 20 to Mrs. Colbourn, in 

America. He arrived in poor condition and 

died shortly afterwards. I remember seeing 

an absolutely perfect white Persian kitten at 

Mrs. Champion's. It was by " White Friar " 

ex "Crystal." He had startling deep blue 

eyes, tiny ears, and broad, round head, and at 

nine weeks old his coat measured nearly three 

inches across. Alas ! though healthy and 

strong, this proved too perfect a specimen for 

this world, and " Crystal Friar " succumbed 

to the epidemic of gastritis then raging amongst 

our feline pets. Referring back to celebrated 

white Persian cats of the past, I well recollect 

the marvellous size and splendid coat of Mrs. 

Lee's " Masher." who took the cat world by 

storm when exhibited at the Crystal Palace in 

1890. This enthusiastic fancier paid 21 for 

" Masher," whose show career was shortened 

by 

an accident. This cat was remarkable in 

those days, if only for his grand blue eyes.


" CRYSTAL. 

THE PROPERTY OF Miss M. HUNT 

: (I'hoto C. Reid, Wishaui.) 

The well-known breeder and judge Mr. 

A. A. Clarke, whose name is more closely 

connected with blue Persians, once owned 

a famous female called " Miss Whitey." I 

remember that this really remarkable cat was 

exhibited in 1887 at the Crystal Palace, and 

again in the following year, when at four years 

old she took first prize and silver medal in a 

class of nine females. It seems to me 

strong 

that these cats, as I recollect them, appeared 

half as large again as the present-day champion 

but whether this was in con- 

winning whites ; 

sequence of more profuse coat or a generally 

bigger build of animal I cannot at this distance 

of time pretend to determine. 

Amongst the well-known prize-winners and 

stud white Persian cats of the present day I 

mention Miss White Atkin's massive- 

may 

limbed " White Knight," whose broad skull is 

especially remarkable in a show-pen, and commends 

itself to the notice of the judge. Miss 

Harper's " Blue-eyed Wanderer " 

has great 

quality and lovely texture of coat. He was in 

truth a wanderer in the streets of a London 

suburb, and, although labelled " breeder and 

pedigree unknown," he has almost always 

held his own in the white classes at our largest 

shows. Mrs. Westlake, Mrs. Pettit, Mrs. 

Finnic, and Miss Hunt are all possessed of 

imported white cats, which have proved 

worthy ancestors of many prize-winning kittens. 

There have not been any very notable female 

white cats exhibited since the appearance of 

Lady Marcus Beresford's " Nourmahal," with 

the exception of Miss M. Hunt's " Crystal " 

" 

and Mrs. Pettit's most lovely Piquante 

Pearl," bred by her from her stud cat " King of 

the Pearls " and " Beautiful Pearl." This cat 

and has 

, 

is as near perfection as possible, 

carried off highest honours whenever exhibited. 

Mrs. Pettit began breeding white Persians in 

1896, and has kept faithful to this breed ever 

since. This enthusiastic breeder always accom- 

panies her exhibits, and her precious Pearls 

are never seen at the smaller mixed shows. I 

have always heard that white kittens are 

difficult to rear, and Mrs. Pettit, who should 

be well qualified to give her testimony on this 

point, says : 

" 

Without a doubt blue-eyed 

white Persians are the most delicate cats in 

existence." A well-known authority on cats, 

writing to one of the cat papers, says : "What 

a change has taken place in our white classes, 

and short-haired ! 

long- A 

few years ago 

white cats with green or yellow eyes frequently 

were prize-winners, and a blue-eyed white was 

looked upcn as a rarity. Now blue eyes have 

it all their own way, and judges are becoming 

more and more exacting as to the depth of 

tone and quality of the blue tint. If we could 

obtain a white Persian with the glorious eye 

of the Siamese, it would be a treasure indeed." 

A gentleman who has lived for ten years in 

Assam says that he never saw in that part of 

India any long-haired cats except blue-eyed 

whites. He also gives an amusing account of 

the usual way of obtaining a cat cf this variety 

" 

You give in- 

fcr a pet. It is as follows : 

structions to a native, who offers to procure 

you one at a certain price, but gives you no 

idea where or how he means to procure it. 

In about a week's time he appears with the 

cat and claims the money. Things progress 

favourably with your new possession for a time, 

but suddenly and unaccountably your puss

disappears. You are calling on some friend 

or acquaintance, and, to your surprise and 

astonishment, there on the armchair lies, 

curled up, your cat ! 

' 

Thus it will be seen 

that the wily native makes a small income 

out of one cat, by stealing or enticing it 

away from the original purchaser and calmly 

re-selling it to one of the neighbours." 

Mrs. Clinton Locke, the president of the 

Beresford Cat Club, has owned some beautiful 

white Persians which she has imported from 

time to time. This ladv writes thus to Our 

Cats : 

' 

The first white Persian I ever owned 

was brought to me many years ago from 

Persia by a distinguished traveller, and its 

eyes were amber, showing that the white cats 

brought from their native land have not 

always blue eyes. The descendants of this 

cat, mated to both amber and blue eyed cats, 

have thrown blue eyes. Two odd-eyed cats 

have also given blue-eyed kittens ; but a pair of 

blue-eyed cats has by no means always thrown 

blue eyes with every kitten in the litter." 

One of our most persistent and consistent 

breeders and fanciers of white Persians is 

Mrs. Westlake, and therefore I am glad to be 

able to put forward a few of her experiences 

as to the peculiarities of the breed. 

WHITE PERSIANS. 123 

" WHITE BUTTB:RFLY." 

Mrs. Westlake, writing from Camden Town, 

says : 

" My acquaintance with white Persian cats 

began some years ago, when I imported a 

white female as a pet. I was so delighted 

for a London resident 

with her that, although 

THE PROPERTY OF Miss WHITE ATKINS. 

(Photo: E. E. Lipputt, Leamington.) 

white cats would seem the least desirable, I 

decided to import two blue-eyed whites for 

breeding purposes. It was a litter from these 

two cats that tempted me to take up exhibit- 

ing, _This litter consisted of all blue-eyed 

kittens, the tone of the blue being exceptionally 

deep. Since then I have, of course, often had 

a different tale to tell, and odd-eyed kittens 

have sometimes predominated. This curious 

freak of nature connected with white cats 

seems unaccountable. The two colours are 

generally yellow and blue, but I have seen 

and blue. I have also remarked on the 

green 

very brilliant tone of the one blue eye. 

" There is a popular belief that almost all 

blue-eyed cats are deaf. All I can say is 

that I have never had a blue-eyed white 

that was deaf. I have, however, often come 

across those that were stone deaf, and others 

with defective hearing. Again an unaccount- 

able freak. 

" White Persian cats have been declared


to be the most difficult to breed and delicate to 

rear. My opinion is that the is delicacy much 

more in their coats than their constitutions ; 

that is, of course, in comparison 

with other 

foreign varieties, none of which are as hardy 

as the British. 

" A few remarks as to the cleansing of 

white cats may 

be useful. As a dweller in 

London, I need scarcely say that unless I 

occasionally gave personal attention to my 

pussies they would not always be in the show 

condition that I 

would desire. 

Some fanciers 

IMPORTED BLUE-EYED TOM, ' 

(Photo: 

V. R. Clarke, Think.) 

MUSAFER. 

wash their white Persians, but I have 

come to the conclusion that this treatment 

tends to coarsen the soft silkiness of the 

fur ; and therefore, for this reason, and also 

because there is a risk of cats catching cold, 

especially in winter, I advocate dry cleaning, 

and suggest the use of Pears' white precipitated 

fuller's earth. One plan is to place the cat 

on a large sheet or towel, mix a little ammonia 

in warm water, dip your hands in this, and 

pass them over and over the fur, letting it 

become thoroughly 

moistened but not wet. 

Then well sprinkle the coat with the powder, 

and by keeping the animal in front of the fire 

the fur will soon become quite dry. Then rub 

with a soft towel, and finally brush thoroughly 

with a clean and not too hard brush. Your 

efforts will be rewarded with success, and 

though puss may be considerably bored during 

the process, she will not resent it so much as a 

tubbing. I find that white females are far 

more diligent as regards their toilet than the 

males, who seem always to have more of the 

Eastern languor and indolence in their nature. 

I have remarked and no doubt it is more 

noticeable in the white breed that as soon 

as young kittens are beyond their mother's 

control they exhibit a marked antipathy to 

keeping their coats in anything like decent 

condition. Sometimes they will 

make a feeble attempt at washing 

themselves; but something will 

excite their attention, and cff they 

will go, or perhaps in sheer fatigue 

will fall asleep during the toilet. 

Thus white kittens will very soon 

present a most unkempt appear- 

ance, and the poor mother gazes 

sadly at them as though the 

cares of a family were too much 

for her, and she no longer wishes 

to own what was once her pride 

and }oy a spotless litter ! 

It has been stated that white 

cats are wanting in expression, 

probably because of the lack of 

markings to give character to the face ; but 

breeders of whites will nevertheless agree 

with me that they have even greater force of 

expression, not being assisted by any markings. 

I have found white cats to be most affectionate, 

and very conservative in their tastes. I have 

owned some white Persians with light sea- 

green eyes, and although these are not correct, 

yet I must say they were strikingly beautiful 

and very uncommon. I have been offered 

high prices by Americans and others for my 

imported white female, but my 

' 

blue-eyed 

darling ' 

will, I think, end her days with 

her devoted mistress in dear, dirty, old 

London."

JACK AM) 

(I'linto: II. Warsclikanki, 

St. Leonanis-on-Sea.) 

A FAMOUS pub- 

1 i s h e r once 

the fol- 

gave 

lowing advice to a 

young author: 

" Never take it for 

granted that your 

readers have any 

previous knowledge 

of your subject, but 

credit them with 

ordinary intelli- 

gence." To all fe- 

line fanciers the 

heading 

12- 

CH AFTER XI. 

BLUE PERSIANS. 

of this 

chapter 

household term, but to novices in the cat 

is a familiar 

world and to outsiders the term " blue " as 

applied to a cat may sound rather absurd. 

Truth to tell, the name is misleading, and yet 

the same is used in describing certain breeds 

of domestic animals, such as dogs, rabbits, 

etc. There is also a fur much used for trim- 

mings of ladies' jackets, etc., called blue fox, 

and this is very much akin to the colour and 

texture of the fur of the blue Persian cat, 

which, however, varies in tone from a dark 

slate to a pale lilac-blue. 

It is over twenty years ago since I ex- 

hibited the first " blues " at the Crystal Palace 

Cat Show, and they created quite a sensation, 

for no one seemed to have seen any cats of 

this peculiar shade before. Some called them 

grey or lilac, and others London smoke or 

slate colour. One of my pair of blue kittens 

was quickly claimed at catalogue price, and I 

bought in the other, fearing I should lose her 

also. She, in her turn, became the mother of 

many celebrated blues. In those early days 

of the fancy blue Persians were entered in 

the " any other variety " class, and most of 

the specimens exhibited were in reality blue 

tabbies. For some years this state of things 

continued ; but Mr. A. A. Clarke, so well 

known as one of the pioneers of the National 

Cat Club, and as a breeder, exhibitor, and 

judge,- agitated with other fanciers, myself 

amongst the number, to obtain a better classification 

for the self-coloured blues, and in 1889 

the schedule at the Crystal Palace Show con- 

tained a class for " Blue self-coloured with- 

out white." For some time this breed of cats 

was termed " self blues," in contradistinction 

to the many blues with tabby markings which 

were formerly so very common in the fancy. 

In 1890 it was decided to divide the sexes 

in the blue cat classes, and let the kittens 

compete with black and white. The result was 

an entry 

" 

Beauty 

of eight in each class, my famous 

" 

Boy taking first in the male, 

and Mrs. H. B. Thompson's celebrated 

" " 

Winks first in the female division. At 

Brighton in the same year the " self-blue " 

class was adopted with success. 

The famous blue stud cats of that period 

were Mr. A. A. Clarke's " Turco," Miss Bray's 

" 

Glaucus," and my own " Beauty Boy." 

Amongst other exhibitors of blues about this 

time I may mention 

Mrs. Warner 

(now the Hon. 

Mrs. McLaren 

Morrison), Mrs. 

Vallance, Mrs. 

Wells, Mrs. Hunt, 

Mrs. H.B.Thompson, 

Mrs.Ellerton, 

and Miss F. Moore. 

In 1891 blues 

came very mucli 

to the fore, and 

the entries at the JILL. 

THE PEOTERTY F Miss B* 

Crystal Palace 

(I'hoto: H. tISarsclikarski, 

numbered 15 St. I.conards-on-Sea.)


males and 17 females. At Cruft's Show in 

the year 1894 a grand blue, called " \Voo- 

loomooloo," was exhibited by Mrs. W. R. 

Hawkins, and this cat became one of the most 

famous of stud cats. Many of the finest blues 

of to-day are descended from this noted sire. 

Mrs. H. B. Thompson's " Don Juan " was 

for many years greatly in request as a stud 

cat, and many beautiful blues claim him as 

their ancestor. 

A little later " Moko " became famous as 

the sire of a sensational kitten exhibited by 

Mr. C. W. Witt at the Westminster Show of 

" " 

1900. Moko was sold at a high figure to 

Mrs. Barnett, and is now in the possession of 

Mrs. Singleton, of Yeovil. Mr. A. A. Clarke 

was considered the best judge of this variety, 

and at the Palace and Brighton he did much 

to encourage the breed by offering handsome 

special prizes 

in the blue classes. 

It is true that the prize-winning cats of 

ten and fifteen years ago would have had but 

a poor chance in the present-day competitions, 

chiefly for the reason that cats of the 

past could look at a judge with bright green 

eyes and yet be awarded the highest 

honours. Nous avons changJ tout cela, and 

now a blue cat without the much-to-be-desired 

orange eyes fetches but a small price, and is 

at a great disadvantage in the show-pen. 

An up-to-date judge may, however, be led 

into giving too great a prominence to this 

point and thus sacrifice soundness of colour, 

shape, and form. Then, again, I remember 

when a white spot on the throat of a blue 

Persian was not considered a serious defect ; 

now a few straggling white hairs will cause 

anguish to the owner, and a judge will promptly 

put down the specimen for this blemish. 

Blue cats with white spots used to be rele- 

gated to the " any other colour " class ; but 

recently both the National Cat Club and 

the Cat Club have wisely decided that such 

cats should be judged in their own classes. 

However, I think that owners of these specimens 

would do well to keep them away from 

the show bench, where the competition in 

blues is now too keen to give any chance for 

defective cats to have a look in. I may men- 

tion that the nose of a blue Persian is a few 

shades darker than its fur, and the toe-pads 

yet a little darker. 

As will be seen from the standard of points 

for blues, which will be found later on in 

this chapter, the highest marks are given for 

soundness of colour. There is a tendency to 

breed very light blues, and popular fancy 

favours this particular type. I am inclined, 

however, to prefer a good sound medium blue 

as being the best and safest for breeding 

purposes. The lovely pale blues are beautiful 

to look at, but are seldom absolutely sound in 

colour. Blues, whether dark or light, should 

be the same tint throughout, so that when the 

coat is blown apart the colour at the roots 

is the same as at the tips. A white under- 

coat is a serious blemish, and this often 

appears 

in the 

when silver blood 

ancestry of a blue 

may 

cat. 

be traced 

We have 

quite dropped the term of self-blue, and yet 

this well expresses the uniformity of colour 

which is so desirable. As tiny kittens blues 

frequently exhibit tabby markings ; but fan- 

ciers need not worry over these apparent 

defects, for as the coat grows the bars and 

stripes are no longer visible. 

It also sometimes happens 

that a kitten 

exhibits quite a light ruff, but this is generally 

shed with the second coat, and eventually 

disappears. There are some cats erroneously 

called blues by novices in the fancy, but which 

in reality are blue smokes. These have probably 

been bred from blues and smokes, and 

thus the type of each is seriously damaged. 

If it is desired to breed sound-coloured blues, 

then it is undesirable to cross them with any 

other colour save and except blacks. I have 

found good results from mating blues and 

blacks, more especially with a view to obtain- 

ing the deep amber eyes of the black Persians, 

which, for some reason or other, are generally 

larger, rounder, and deeper in colour than 

what we can produce in blues. Certainly all 

broken breeds and tabbies should be avoided 

when mating blues. I have heard of white 

cats being bred with blues to get a pale tint

CO 

I 7 

S? 

8j 

w .> 

g 

n 

CO

of blue ; 

but white toes, chests, and spots have 

often been the results of such experiments. I 

have bred blue Persians ever since I took up 

the fancy, which is longer ago than I care to 

remember, and I have found them strong and 

hardy cats, requiring no special food, and 

enjoying the best of health without any 

cosseting or coddling. I do not consider that 

blues usually obtain any great size or weight, 

nor are they generally massive in build or 

profuse in coat. 

Ten or fifteen years ago I used to have my 

blue kittens bespoken for about 5 each before 

they were born ; but nowadays, when blues 

are so plentiful, one must be content with 

lower prices, and the average sum for a good 

blue kitten is three guineas. Still, I am sure 

that for beginners in the fancy, wishing to 

combine pleasure and profit, there is no better 

investment than a good sound blue queen 

with orange eyes. The demand for blue 

kittens is really larger than for youngsters of 

any other breed. They make superb pets, 

but it is to be regretted that blue neuters are 

generally spoilt with green eyes, doubtless for 

the reason that the possession of good orange 

eyes tempts the owner or purchaser to reserve 

the specimen for stud or breeding purposes. 

As one of the first breeders and exhibitors of 

blue Persians I feel I am in a position to speak 

with authority, and I am of opinion that no 

breed has made such rapid strides, either in 

improvements or popularity, as blues. In 

this statement I am supported by our best 

professional judge, Mr. T. B. Mason, who, 

writing to me on the subject, says : "I find ten 

good blues at the present time to one we came 

across two or three years ago. I am of opinion 

that in no colour of cats have we seen more 

distinct progress than we see in blue Persians.'' 

Such a statement, coming from our most 

able and ubiquitous judge, is a valuable one. 

Mr. Mason has had a large experience in cat 

judging during the last few years, and his 

duties take him north and south, cast and west. 

As regards the breeding of blues, I consider 

that to obtain the true sound colour blues 

should only be bred to blues. 

BL UE PERSIANS. 12': 

. absolutely 

I have often, however, observed that a 

kitten of unsound colour is to be found in 

litters bred from two sound-coloured blues ; 

the kitten may have a white undercoat or be 

full of white hairs, or have a shaded ruff ; 

but 

experienced breeders will soon discover that 

such blemishes are but temporary, and that the 

ugly duckling of a family may develop into 

the flower of the flock. It is, therefore, very 

interesting to make experiments and to keep 

an apparently worthless specimen to see what 

it turns~irito when the first months of infancy 

are passed and the kitten coat has been shed. 

I have known a young blue of sound colour 

completely transformed in this particular by 

a severe illness. Her fur became a sort of 

pepper-and-salt mixture a sprinkling of white 

but this same cat, contrary to 

and dark grey ; 

the prophecy of an able judge, has again 

changed her coat, and is now a perfectly sound 

blue, even from tip to root. It was evident 

that her illness had affected her coat, and that 

when she regained her usual health she recovered 

her correct coat. As regards the eyes 

in blues, it is not possible to give any exact time 

for the change in colour from the baby blue to 

the dreaded green or hoped-for orange. This 

change takes place gradually, and sometimes 

the period extends till a kitten is almost a cat. 

There are many blue cats with what may be 

called indefinitely coloured eyes; that is, neither 

orange, nor yellow, nor green. This most un- 

satisfactory state of things may be generally 

accounted for by a circle of green round the 

pupil, which, according to the time of day, will 

be wide or narrow. Thus it is that cats with 

this defect are sometimes described with 

" good yellow eyes," and advertised as such, 

and then, when received by the purchaser, a 

glint of green is plainly visible in the inner 

circle. The perfect eye in a blue should be 

unshaded ; and there are two distinct 

types of eyes, namely, the golden eye 

'and the orange eye. The former resembles a 

golden coin in tint, and the latter has the dash 

of red which is to be seen in copper. Both 

these coloured eyes are correct, and much to 

be admired in blue Persians, and no doubt


as time goes on we shall find it will be the rule 

and not the exception to see these perfect 

eyes amongst the blues of the future. It must, 

however, be borne in mind that in the point 

of eyes cats throw back, and two parents with 

good orange eyes may yet produce one or 

more kittens with pale eyes of yellow or green- 

ish hue. Although I have dilated at length 

on the superiority of the orange eye in blues, 

I do not wish it to be thought that a weedy, 

THK ARTIST. 


boneless cat, even with eyes of deepest hue, 

would find favour in my sight ; for in blues, 

as in all breeds of Persians, what we ought to 

seek after most earnestly are good massive 

limbs, plenty of bone, and broad skulls. There 

are too many Persian cats of hare-like proportions, 

and we really want some of the type of 

a good old English tabby introduced into the 

more aristocratic long-haired breeds. 

It will be interesting to up-to-date breeders 

of blues to hear what the veteran cat lover and 

fancier Harrison Weir had to say about them 

fifteen years ago. In his well-known bcok, 

" Our Cats," he thus alludes to the breed : 

" Blue in cats is one of the most extra- 

ordinary colours of any, for the reason that it 

is a mixture of black (which is no colour) and 

white (which is no colour), and this is the more 

curious because black mated with white gener- 

ally produces either one colour or the other, 

or breaks black and white or white and black ; 

the blue being, as it were, a weakened black 

or a withdrawal by white of some, if not all, of 

the brown or red, varying in tint according to 

the colour of the black from which it was bred, 

dark grey, or from weakness in the stamina 

of the litter. When once the colour or break 

from the black is acquired, it is then 

easyjto go on multiplying the different 

shades and varieties of tint and tone, 

from the dark blue-black to the very 

light, almost white grey. If whole- 

coloured blues are in request, then particolours, 

such as white and black, or black and 

white, are best excluded." 

Many of our leading cat fanciers "go in" 

exclusively for blues, and keep faithful to 

this one breed alone. I give a list of these, 

and trust I may be if pardoned I have left 

out the name of any enthusiastic breeder and 

lover of blues and blues alone : Mrs. Hill, 

Mrs. Wells, Mrs. P. Hardy, Mrs. H. Ransome, 

Mrs. Bennet, Mrs. Mocatta, Mrs. S. F. Clarke 

(Louth), Mrs. Cartwright, Mrs. Gregory (Lincoln), 

Mrs. H. B. Thompson, Mrs. O'Brien 

Clarke, Miss Jay, Miss Bennet, Miss Messer, 

Miss Patterson, Miss Goddard, Rev. P. L. 

Cosway, Mrs. Swanson, Mrs. Curwen, Mrs. 

Duffin, Mrs. W. M. Hunt, Mrs. Slingsby, Mrs.

BLUE KITTENS BRED BY MISS KIKKl'ATKICK. 

(1'hoto : E. Landor, Ealing.) 

Singleton, Miss Savery, Mrs. Eustace, Mrs. 

Hitchcock, Miss Hooper, Miss Violet Hunt, Miss 

Humfrey, Mrs. Kennaway, Mr. H. Maxwell, 

.Mrs. Ponder, Miss Rigby, and Mr. C. W. Witt. 

There are, of course, a large number of 

fanciers who, amongst other breeds of cats, 

keep one or two blues, and several keep 

blues and silvers only. I think I may safely 

say that blue Persians have the largest 

number of admirers, and certain it is that at 

all our large shows the blue classes are the 

best filled. At the Cat Club Show held at 

Westminster in 1899 the number of entries 

in the blue female class was a record one 

there were no less than 48, and the blue males 

mustered 42. 

Seeing, therefore, how popular this 

breed had become, in April, 1901, I 

founded and started the Blue 

Persian Cat Society, a book of 

v rules was drawn up, and the 

following ladies and gentlemen 

appointed as officials of the 

society : 

BLUE PERSIAN CAT SOCIETY. 

Founded April 241/1, IQOI. 

Presidents : Viscountess Maitland, 

Mrs. Maconochie, Miss Gertrude Jay. 

BLUE PERSIANS. 129 

Vice-Presidents : Viscountess Gort, Lady Danvers, 

the Hon. Mrs. Maclaren Morrison, Mrs. Collingwood, 

Mrs. W. M. Hunt, Miss Violet Hunt, Mrs. Clinton 

Locke, Mrs. Lionel Marks, Mrs. Herbert Ransome, 

Mrs. Mackenzie Stewart, Mrs. H. B. Thompson, Mrs. 

Woodcock, Sir H. Jerningham, K.C.M.G., Sir B. 

Simpson, K.C.M.G., Rev. P. L. Cosway, Frankfort 

Moore, Esq., R. Stoiks, Esq. 

Committee : Mrs. Baldwin, Mrs. Russell Biggs, 

Mrs. Bishop, Mrs. P. Brown, Mrs. P. Hardy, Mrs. 

Collingwood, Mrs. H. L. Mocatta, Miss H. Patterson, 

Mr. Gambier Bolton. 

Hon. Treasurer: Mr. Russell Biggs, i, Garden 

Court, Temple. 

Hon. Secretary : Miss F. Simpson, 9, Leonard Place, 

Kensington, W. 

Judges : Lady Marcus Beresford, Mrs. P. Hardy, 

Mrs. W. M. Hunt, Miss G. Jay, Miss K. Sangster, 

Miss F. Simpson, Mr. C. A. House, Mr. T. B. Mason, 

Mr. F. Norris, Mrs. Mackenzie Stewart, Miss E. 

Goddard, and Miss Kirkpatrick. 

The chief objects of this society are as 

promote the breeding and exhibit- 

follow : To 

ing of blue Persian cats ; to define precisely, 

and to publish a description of, the true 

type of blue Persian cat, and to urge the 

adoption of such type on breeders, exhibitors, 

and judges, as the only recognised and unvarying 

standard by which blue Persian cats 

of the 

should be judged ; the improvement 

classification, and, if necessary, the guaranteeing 

of classes for these cats at shows supported 

by the society ; the selection of specialist 

MRS. ROBINSON S BLUE KITTKNS. 

(Photo: J. Joyner, Cheltenham.)

judges to make the awards at such shows. 

The annual subscription to the Blue Persian 

Cat Society is five shillings, payable by each 

member on election. At the general meeting 

of the society, held in April, 1902, the number 

of members on the books was 183, and the 

honorary secretary reported that during the 

past year twelve cat shows had received the 

support of the society, and numerous hand- 

MRS. WELLS' CATTERY. 

(I'hoto : Cassell & Company, Limited.) 

some challenge prizes, badges, 

and specials had been offered for 

competition. 

The following is the standard 

of points drawn up by the committee 

of the Blue Persian Cat 

Society and approved of by the 

members of the society : 

STANDARD OF POINTS FOR BLUE PERSIAN CAT. 

Coal (30). -Any shade of blue allowable ; sound 

and even in colour ; free from markings, shadings, 

or any white hairs. Fur long, thick, and soft in 

texture. Frill full. 

Head (25). Broad and round, with width between 

the ears. Face and nose short. Ears small and 

tufted. Cheeks well developed. 

Eyes (20). Orange ; large, round, and full. 

Body (15). Cobby, and low on the legs. 

Tail (10). Short and full, not tapering. 


Members should not be deterred from showing 

their cats if they do not come up to the high standard 

set forth in the above definition. 

It is true that very few, if any, blue Persians 

come up to the high standard here given, 

but still there is a very marked improvement 

in the breed during the last year or two. 

The number of green-eyed blues are steadily 

and surely decreasing, and the colour of the 

coat and size of head are points 

that have been carefully attended 

to. In reading the list of blue cats 

placed at stud in the columns of 

the cat papers we cannot help 

being impressed with the enormous 

strides made of recent years 

in this breed of cats alone. In a 

recent copy of Our Cats I counted 

twenty-five stud advertisements of blues, and 

this does not nearly represent the entire number 

of blues used for stud purposes by fanciers. 

This breed of Persians has become very popular 

in America, and several fine cats have been 

exported, and have carried off the highest 

honours at the New York Cat shows, held 

under the auspices of the Beresford Cat 

Club. 

Mrs. Clinton Locke, the president of the 

club, is an enthusiastic breeder and admirer

of blues, and has possessed the finest specimens 

among American fanciers. 

The names of two good " all-round " judges 

appear on the blue Persian list, namely, 

Mr. C. A. House and Mr. T. B. Mason, and 

exhibitors of this special breed as, indeed, 

of any other may feel quite sure that their 

precious pets will receive justice at the hands 

of these two careful adjudicators. 

Mr. E. Welburn, also a blue Persian judge, 

was long known and respected in the fancy, 

and his death in 1902 

was a great loss to 

the cat world. Two 

silver bowls have been 

subscribed for by his 

many admirers in 

memory of this upright 

judge, and these are 

competed 

at the two largest 

shows of the National 

for annually 

Cat Club and the Cat 

Club. 

Miss Jay and Miss 

Frances Simpson have 

frequently given their 

services as judges at 

some of the shows 

which have received 

the patronage of the 

Blue Persian Cat 

Society. 

In conclusion, I would say that I am very 

hopeful of being able at some future time to 

hold a show for blue Persians, and by dividing 

and subdividing to give an attractive and 

liberal classification. 

I have pleasure in giving a short account, 

with illustrations, of some of the catteries 

belonging to blue breeders. 

Mrs. Wells, of Isleworth, was one of the 

first exhibitors of blue Persians, and has been 

faithful to this breed for many years. 


She has 

wonderfully well-planned catteries, and, having 

plenty of space at her command, the cats are 

able to enjoy lots of liberty in large wired- 

" KOKELES KISSI." 

BRED BY MRS. BENNET. 

(Photo: H. Warsclikowski, St. Leonards-on-Sefi.) 

abundance of grass. Mrs. Wells' blues are 

noted for their wonderfully fine coats. Her 

stud cat " Blue Noble " has sired many noted 

winners, and " 

My Honey," a lovely queen, 

has the deepest orange eyes I have ever seen. 

Mrs. Wells takes the greatest interest in her 

cats, and each and all are pets ; in fact, so 

great is the care and devotion bestowed upon 

them that Mrs. Wells is very seldom persuaded 

into exhibiting any of her beautiful blues, and 

never lets- them attend any shows unless she 

herself is able to ac- 

company them. 

Mrs. Wells' cottage 

is situated in a most 

rural district of Isle- 

worth, and one might 

fancy oneself miles and 

miles away from the 

busy haunts of men. 

At the time the photos 

illustrating these catteries 

were taken Mrs. 

Wells had eighteen 

blue kittens, besides 

several grow n-u p 

representatives of her 

favourite breed. At 

one time Mrs. Wells 

was bitten with the 

silver fever, and began 

to breed this variety ; 

but the litters did 

not give satisfaction, and she determined to 

return to blues with what success can be 

learnt from a visit to the gardens at 

Isleworth. 

Miss Gertrude Jay started cats in 1891, 

and her name will always be connected with 

blues. Nothing 

has ever been exhibited to 

compare with her wonderful female " The 

Mighty Atom " as regards beauty and shape 

of head. This cat, now, alas ! no more, 

swept 

the board wherever it was shown. Twice 

she carried off the highest honours for best 

cat in the show at the Crystal Palace. It is 

true that this grand specimen lacked the 

in runs, planted with shrubs, and with an orange eyes, but no judge could pass over


such a perfect type of cat, despite 

her one 

fault, and thus " The Mighty Atom " reigned 

" " " 

supreme. Trixie and Doris," two of 

Miss Jay's noted blues, have also both won 

specials 

for the best cat in the show at the 

Crystal Palace. Miss Jay 

ing some descendants of these precious cats 

is fortunate in hav- 

in the luxurious catteries at Holmwood (of 

which an illustration is given). Many lovely 

blues may be seen revelling in the well- 

appointed houses set apart 

at the end of the 

long terrace for their special use. Miss Jay 

about a year ago retired from the cat fancy, 

and withdrew her name from the two clubs ; but 

she is still a vice-president of the Blue Persian 

Cat Society, and often acts as judge. Her 

name always draws a good entry, and, as 

a well-known fancier once remarked to me, 

" You can be sure of getting your money's 

worth when Miss Jay has the handling of the 

classes." The following 

few remarks from 

Miss Jay on her method of judging will be 

read with interest : 

" I fear my way of judging 

'' 

SCARED." 

Two BLUES BELONGING TO LADY MARCUS BERESFORD. 


is unlike most 

other people's, because I do not judge by 

points unless it comes to a close fight between 

two cats. Of course, I consider shape and 

colour first, and then I mark all those un- 

worthy to be in any prize list ; next get to 

work with the remainder, and this I do, as I 

say, unlike most other judges, for I pick out 

the cat that I would soonest have given to me 

that day, with the object of showing it again 

at once. The point to be decided is the best 

cat that day. It is no use beginning to think 

which cat will be the best in a month's time 

or which cat might have been best a month 

ago ; it is there that day which is best ? And, 

to my mind, if I award first to the cat I would 

rather have, with the one object of continu- 

ing to show it, that surely must be the best cat 

in my opinion, and to that cat the first card 

goes. And so on through the class, only giving 

one V.H.C., one H.C., and one C., unless the 

class is a very large one. I know some judges 

who say commended cards are very cheap, and 

they please the exhibitors. True ; but are you 

not pleasing them in a wrong way by making 

them think their cat is better than it is ? " 

Mrs. Herbert Ransome is well known in 

the feline world as a successful breeder of 

blue Persians, and as the hard-working secre- 

tary of the Northern Counties Cat Club, and 

more recently as the editor of Our Cats. 

Her two blue stud cats, " Darius " and " Darius 

III.," have earned a great reputation, not only 

in the show-pen, but as the sires of many lovely 

prize-winning kittens, notably " Orange Blossom 

of Thorpe," owned by Mrs. Slingsby, of 

Ouseburn, Yorkshire. 

that the name of 

It is only of recent years 

has become known in the 

Mrs. Paul Hardy

BLUE PERSIANS. 133 

feline world as a breeder of blue Persians. Mrs. several Scottish shows. Later he came under 

Hardy was a member of the Cat Club Com- the notice of Mrs. Mackenzie Stewart, into 

mittee, but on her removal to some distance whose hands he passed, and received a good 

from London she resigned her post. To her deal of favour at the hands of the judges, 

the Cat Club is indebted for a very beautiful From Mrs. Stewart he passed into the possession 

design of a medal which, in silver and bronze, of the late Dr. Longwill, and was sire of the 

is competed for at the Westminster and other 

shows (sec illustration). 

Her first adventure into the domain of 

cat-keeping was in the case of a very fine blue 

cat named "Juliet," whose first few litters 

were not a great success, so that sensible 

cat took matters into her own hands. She 

chose for her mate the raggedest black torn 

she could find, and though, of course, the 

results of this mesalliance were not at all satis- 

factory from the show judge's point of view, 

in later years, when suitably mated, " Juliet " 

did not once throw back to a wrong-coloured 

kitten. I am not sure that I can follow Mrs. 

Hardy to the logical conclusion of her deductions 

from this fact, but I think it is worthy 

of notice by those extremists who hold the 

view that an incorrect mating in the first 

instance spoils a queen for the rest of her 

life. 

It was at the Crystal Palace show of 1897 

that Mrs. Hardy exhibited her first litter from 

her blue stud " Wooshoo," and she was then 

awarded a first, a special, and two or three 

silver medals. Another famous cat in Mrs. 

Hardy's establishment was a blue, named 

" Mark Antony," who met with success at 

CAST OK THE CAT CLUB MEDAL. 

DESIGNED BY MRS. P. HARDY. 

famous Crystal Palace winning female blue, 

" Dolly Gray," in 1902. 

Mrs. Hardy's success has not been achieved 

without some set-backs, more particularly of 

recent years, since her cattery has been en- 

larged, and she has had to fight her against disease and death. 

way 

Her own account 

is so vivid that I quote it, so that fanciers 

in a like evil condition may fight 

for the lives 

of their pets to the last : 

" I was singularly free from illness of any 

kind amongst them, and I lived for some time 

happy in the belief that the Persian puss was 

in no wise different from her short-coated 

sister in the robust possession of nine lives ; 

I added cat unto cat, and bred for show ; 

so 

when 

swiftly Nemesis overtook me. I showed five 

full-grown cats at the first Westminster show, 

and twenty-four hours after the show was over 

my best blue queen, a young beauty whose 

proud owner I had been only 

for one brief 

month, died of acute pneumonia. A few days 

later influenza showed itself amongst the 

others, and all four were down with it. 

" 

What a time I had, with the experiences 

of a ward-nurse ! But I pulled them through, 

all but one young kitten of four months, in


whom acute laryngitis developed, and so she 

had to be put to sleep. 

" ' 

was given up by the vet., as he 

Wooshoo ' 

piled so many complications into his system 

one after the other, developing bronchitis, 

gastritis, and jaundice on the top of the 

original complaint. Poor fellow, for twentyfour 

hours he lay unconscious, but I kept his 

heart going by doses of pure alcohol every two 

hours, while I fought the disease with hot 

fomentations, medicated steamings, and other 

proper remedies. 

" For just one month I had to hand-feed him, 

and then one afternoon it occurred to him he 

might try his minced oyster by himself, greatly 

to my joy and triumph ; 

and when he feebly 

washed his face afterwards I felt like setting 

the church bells ! ringing 

" 

I am convinced, in serious cat illness, it is 

the night nursing that does the trick and deter- 

mines whether your patient is to live or die. 

It is somewhat of an effort, I admit, to have to 

arise two or three times in a night (nearly 

always in the bitter weather, when these 

epidemics occur), and, in my case, to be obliged 

MISS G. JAY'S CATTEKY. 

(Photo: W. Field, Putney.) 

to dre?s and go out of doors to the stable- 

yard, with a dimly burning lantern. 

" In every cat lover's career there must be 

some such saddening memories. Saddest when, 

after the efforts of the night, and you have left 

hopeful the morning will bring improvement, 

you return in the early dawn to note on enter- 

ing a sign that causes youi 

heart to beat 

heavily your patient's bed is empty ! 

" You know what that means, and look round. 

Yes, there in a corner, flat, stiff, and draggled, 

where he has crawled in the last uneasy seeking 

for air, is " 

your poor pet, still for ever ! 

Mrs. Hardy, in connection with illnesses, has 

some advice to offer as regards medicines which 

she has tested herself, and which I think will 

be of service to my readers : 

" 

While not intending to say anything 

authoritatively upon the subject of remedies 

for various cat ills, all of which will be most 

ably and exhaustively gone into by 

the writer 

of later chapters in this book, I might perhaps 

mention one or two things of which I have 

had personal experience, restoratives rather 

than drugs, which I now keep always at hand.

" One is a preparation of beef called ' 


Soma- 

tose.' It is sold in i oz. or 2 oz. tins, is in the 

form of a fine soluble powder, and has this 

over certain beef essences that it 

advantage 

will keep good any length of time, and has 

not to be used up directly the tin is opened ; 

while it is no more expensive, and a little will 

go a long way 

if used as directed. 

" 

I make it by putting some boiling water 

into a saucer, sprinkling about a teaspoonful 

on the water, and allowing it to dissolve 

slowly till cold, when it would look like weak 

tea. It is a most powerful restorative and 

stimulant, and given cold in teaspoonful doses 

can be retained in the worst case of stomach 

irritation. 

" A second good thing is Plasmon powder. 

I was recommended to try this by a cat lover, 

for a case of dyspeptic sickness of a chronic 

character. For delicate kittens it is most 

valuable, and I believe the very worst cases of 

diarrhoea or dysentery can be cured, and the 

patient saved to grow up strong and healthy, 

if a diet of Plasmon jelly, given cold, with 

alternate meals of Somatose, also given cold, be 

REV. p. L. COSWAY'S " IMPERIAL BLUE. 

persevered with until the bowels are normal. 

Never give milk in any form, either plain, 

boiled, or in puddings, to a cat that is suffer- 

ing 

from looseness of the bowels. Another 

little hint I may be allowed, perhaps, to give : 

Don't wait for illness to come before you train 

your kittens to take medicine from a spoon. 

" 

I teach all my youngsters to drink easily 

from a spoon, beginning with something nice 

sweetened milk or the .like, going on to 

cold water and, when necessary, a drop or two 

of Salvo's Preventive in it. Then, when it 

becomes necessary for a real nasty dose, they 

are not in the least nervous of the spoon before- 

hand, and the dose is down and gone before 

they discover anything 

unusual. Never have 

I to wrap cloths round any of my cats, or get 

but some 

people to hold them by main force ; 

cats will nearly turn themselves inside out when 

a spoon is held to their mouths ! All the fault 

of early training. ! Badly brought up 

must be very patient with a young kitten ; 

You 

never do anything in a hurry. When once you 

have gained a cat's 

do anything to it." 

confidence it will let you 

(Photo: G. &J. Hall, Wakeficld.)

" UN SAUT PERILLEUX." 

(From a Painting by Madame Ronner.)

' 

JACK FROST." 

BREO nv MRS. Mix, OLO FORT 

BATTERY, NEW YORK. 

(Photo: A. Lloyd, Amsterdam, N.Y.) 

137 

CHAPTER XII. 

SILVER OR CHINCHILLA PERSIANS. 

PERHAPS no 

breed or variety 

of cat has been 

so much thought 

about, talked about, 

and fought about in 

the fancy as the silver 

or chinchilla 

Persian. If blues 

are a new variety, 

then silvers are of 

still more recent 

origin. Years ago 

this cat did not exist 

that is to say, we 

should not recognise the silver Persian of to- 

day as the silver of bygone times, for the 

simple reason that the only 

class of silver 

in the fancy formerly was the silver tabby. 

In those days there were self-coloured cats 

and tabby, or marked cats, and broken- 

coloured cats. Previous to the introduction 

of a Chinchilla class at the Crystal Palace in 

1894, the class for silver tabbies included blue 

tabbies " with or without white," and it is 

curious to read in the old catalogues of the 

Crystal Palace shows the titles given to the 

various cats by the owners, some describing 

their cats as "chinchilla tabby," "light grey 

tabby," "silver grey," 

" 

blue or silver striped." 

"silver chinchilla," 

We may infer that 

these cats were either blue tabbies or 

silver tabbies, or something betwixt and 

between. I distinctly remember the large 

number of cats which in these enlightened days 

we should find it difficult indeed to 

classify. 

It is often said, " " 

What's in a name ? 

But 

still, in trying to describe a particular breed 

of cat, it is as well to endeavour to find 

a term which expresses as nearly as possible 

both the colour and the appearance of 

the animal. There has been a great deal of 

discussion as to the correct name by which 

these delicately 

tinted Persians should be 

called. 

The National Cat Club began by classify- 

ing them for the Crystal Palace show in 1894 

as Chinchillas, and they have kept to this, 

although it is really a most misleading title, 

as the cats are quite unlike the fur which 

we know as chinchilla, this being dark at the 

roots and lighter towards the tips. Now, cats 

of this variety ought to be just the reverse. 

It is difficult to give a correct idea of the 

real colour and appearance of these cats. The 

fur at the roots is a peculiar light silver, not 

white, as one might imagine, until some pure 

white is placed beside it, and this shades to 

a slightly darker tone a sort of bluish lavender 

to the tips of the coat. The Cat Club intro- 

duced the term " self silver," but this is 

suggestive of one colour only, without any 

shadings whatever. Another class, called 

" shaded silvers," was added ; 

but then, again, 

tabby markings are not shadings. Formerly, 

blues used to be called " self blues," but this 

is entirely done away with, and now we never 

think of using this term, and speaking of them 

as blues we understand there should be the 

one and only colour. 

Surely, then, the simplest term and the 

most descriptive of these beautiful cats is 

" silver," pure and simple, for whether dark 

or light they are all silvers, and so we should 

have blues and blue tabbies, orange and orange 

tabbies, silver and silver tabbies. 

Then comes the question of what is nearest 

perfection in this variety of cat, which has 

come upon us of late years, evolved from the 

silver tabby and the blue. The ideal silver, to 

use the words of a well-known breeder of these 

cats, should be the palest conceivable edition

of a smoke cat, with fur almost white at the 

roots and palish silver grey at the tips, and 

as free from markings as a smoke. I do not 

go the length of declaring that silvers cannot 

be too light, for I think that it is the delicate 

tips of silvery blue that lend such a charm 

and give such distinction to this variety. 

Without these delicate tippings a silver cat 

would look inartistic and insipid. There has 

been of late quite a rage amongst silver 

breeders to produce a totally unmarked 

specimen ; but fanciers would do better to 

endeavour to obtain a light shaded silver free 

from tabby markings with the broad head 

and massive limbs, which at present are 

qualities not often met with in this variety. 

I am quite aware this is a most difficult task, 

but we must remember that " all good things 

come hard," even in breeding cats, and if it 

were not so half the interest for fanciers 

would be gone. 

Having, therefore, considered what a perfect 

silver cat ought to be, I will give a 

description of the type of cat generally bred 

and exhibited as a silver. I read the following 

account in one of our daily papers, evidently 

written by a non-admirer of these " 

cats : The chinchillas are 

lovely 

very fashionable, 

and very difficult to breed in perfection. 

They took their name from a supposed like- 

1 THE 

AHSKXT-MIXDKI) BEGGAR. 

OWNED BY MRS. NEILD. 

E. Lamtor, Ealing.) 

(I'lioto : 


" STAR DUVALS." 

SILVER PERSIAN OWNED AND BRED BY Miss MEESON. 

(Photo : F. Parsons, Southend-on-Sea.) 

ness the fur bears to that of the chinchilla. 

But the chinchilla cat, as at present in request, 

bears no resemblance to the little rodent. 

Most of the exhibits are of a dirty white, 

tinged with lavender, with a quantity of 

marks and stripes on the face, body, and 

paws." Now this is not a pleasing picture, 

and one that would be considered libellous 

by a silver breeder. It is, however, true that 

at present our silvers are too full of tabby 

markings, and in many cases the 

undercoat is not silvery white, but 

light grey or pale blue. There are 

many silver cats with dark spine 

lines and shaded sides, but they are 

heavily barred on the head and legs, 

and the tail is frequently almost 

black. It is a case of tabby blood 

which needs breeding out of the 

silvers, and which, no doubt, 

will be 

obliterated in time, so that two dis- 

tinct types of silvers will only exist 

the delicately tipped or shaded silvers, 

and the richly marked and barred 

silver tabbies. Just as in the case of 

the blue Persians it took a long 

while to eradicate the tabby markings

which showed the existence of tabby blood, 

so amongst silvers the bar and stripes need 

to be carefully bred out, and we shall hope, 

in the good time coming, to have not self 

silvers, but a very near approach 


to this 

namely, a perfectly unmarked but yet not 

wholly unshaded silver cat. 

There is a greater delicacy amongst silver 

cats, and more difficulty in rearing the kittens, 

than in any other breed, and this may be 

accounted for by the immense amount of in- 

breeding that was carried on indiscriminately 

at the beginning of the rage for silver cats ; 

y also the desire to obtain lightness of colour 

caused breeders to lose sight of the grave 

disadvantages of loss of bone and stamina. 

the silver cats 

Therefore it is that among 

exhibited at our shows we seldom find massive 

limbs or broad heads or full cheeks. There 

is a tendency to hare-like proportions, and 

the faces have a pinched and snipey appear- 

" OMAR." 

ance, and noses are too long. However, great 

improvement is taking place, and with the 

numerous stud cats now at the disposal of 

fanciers, there ought to be no difficulty in 

making a suitable selection. 

The question as to the correct colour of eyes 

for a chinchilla or silver cat is still a vexed 

question. 

THE PROPERTY OF Miss A. POLLARD 

(Copyright 1901 G. Hitler, Elizabeth, N.Y.) 

In self-coloured cats the broad line 

is clearly laid down blue eyes for whites, 

orange for blacks, and orange for blues ; but 

when we come to the more nondescript cats 

such as silver and smoke and tortoiseshell 

there seems to be a wider margin given, and 

the line drawn is not so hard-and-fast. Still, 

I think it is always well to have some high 

standard of perfection in each breed, so that 

fanciers may breed up to it, and to my mind 

the bright emerald green eye is the ideal for a 

silver cat. I have seen very fine amber eyes 

which could not fail to attract admiration ; but 

if these are admitted, then all sorts of eyes,


not amber but wishy-washy yellow, will be the 

inevitable result. So many silver cats have 

eyes that may be described as neither one 

thing nor the other. Often one hears the re- 

mark, " Oh ! 

but if you see So-and-so's eyes 

in the right light they are a 

lovely green." But viewed by 

the ordinary eye of a critical 

judge, they appear an uncertain 

THREE PRETTY SILVERS. 

(Photo: C. Reid, Wishatv.) 

yellow. Therefore it is best to set up a 

standard, and I think it is becoming an almost 

undisputed fact that silver cats of perfect 

type should have green eyes, and by green 

let it be understood that the deeper the tone 

the better will they accord or contrast with 

the pale silvery coat. 

I would here impress upon fanciers the 

great importance of striving 

to obtain the 

large, round, full eye, which gives such 

pressionex- 

to a cat's face. How many of our 

silvers of to-day are spoiled by small, badly 

shaped or half-open eyes 

sufficient importance is attached by our 

! I do not think 

judges to this point of size of eye. Many 

are carried away by the correctness of colour, 

and fail to deduct a sufficient number of 

points for a beady, badly shaped small eye. 

Colour is fleeting, and with age our cats 

may lose the brilliancy of green or orange, 

but bold large eyes, placed well apart and not 

too deeply sunk, will be lasting points in 

favour of our pets. 

. men 

There is one rather peculiar feature in the 

eyes of some silver cats. This is the dark 

rim which often encircles the eye. This rim 

decidedly enhances the beauty of the eye, 

and makes it look larger than it really is, 

and also throws up the colour. 

Light, almost white, ear-tufts and 

toe-tufts are adjuncts which go to 

make up a perfect silver cat. The 

nose is of a dull brick red, darkening slightly 

towards the edges. 

Few Persian cats suffer so severely during 

the process of shedding their coats as silvers, 

and they present a most ragged appearance 

at this period of their existence. The lovely 

fluffy light silver undercoat almost disappears, 

and the top markings stand out very dis- 

tinctly, so that a cat that in full feather 

would be considered a light, unmarked speciwill 

appear streaked and dark after the 

coat has been shed. As regards the silver 

kittens, it is a curious fact that these, when 

born, are often almost black or, at any rate, 

generally very dark in colour, resembling 

smokes. It is seldom that a silver kitten is 

light at birth, but gradually the markings and 

shadings will lessen, and perhaps just the one 

mite that was looked upon as a bad black will 

blossom forth into the palest silver. In this 

respect, silver kits are most speculative, but 

in another they are cruelly disappointing, for 

a kitten at three months old may be a verit-

able thing of beauty, and ere it has reached 

the age of eight months, bars and stripes 

will 

have, so to speak, set in severely, and our 

unmarked specimen of a silver kit develops 

into a poorly marked tabby cat. I may say 

that if the kittens are going to be really pale 

silvers they will in the majority of cases have 

very pale faces and paws, with little or no 

marking, whilst the body will be fairly even 

dark grey perhaps almost black. In a week 

or two a change takes place, as the under- 

coat begins to grow, and it will be noticed 

that the kittens become more even in colour, 

the contrast between their light face and dark 

backs will not be nearly so accentuated, and 

by the time they are nine or ten weeks old 

they will look almost unmarked. The reason 

for this is that the dark fur they are born 

with is really only the extreme tips of the 

hair, and as their coats grow in length this 

shading becomes more dispersed. 

And here I will allude to the so-called threefold 

classification which was part of the scheme 

of the Silver Society, founded by Mrs. Cham- 

pion in 1900. At the inaugural meeting Mrs. 

Stennard Robinson took the chair. Voting 

papers had previously been distributed 

amongst the members, asking for their votes 

on the question of establishing three classes 

for silvers namely, chinchillas, shaded 

silvers, and silver tabbies. The votes 

recorded were fifty-four in favour of 

the threefold classification, and nine 

against it. So this was carried by a 

large majority, and the question of 

points 

discussed and settled as follows : 

CHINCHILLAS. 

As pale and unmarked silver as possible. 

Any brown or cream tinge to be considered 

a great drawback. Eyes to be green or 

oi'ange. 

Value of points as follows : 

Head . . . . . . . . . . 20 

. . Shape . . . . . . ..15 

Colour of coat . . . . . . 25 

Coat and condition. . . . . . 20 

Colour, shape, and expression of eyes 

Brush. . . . . . . . 10 

SILVER OR CHINCHILLA PERSIANS. 141 

10 

Total . 100 

After much discussion, Lady Marcus Beres-. 

ford moved, and Mrs. Champion seconded, 

the following definition of Shaded Silvers : 

SHADED SILVERS. 

Colour : 

pale, clear silver, shaded on face, legs, and 

back, but having as few tabby markings as possible. 

Any brown or cream tinge a great drawback. Eyes 

green or orange. Value of points : 

Head 

Colour of coat . . . . . . . . 25 

Coat and condition . . . . . . 20 

Colour, shape, and expression of eyes 

Shape . . . . . . . . ..15 

Brush . . . . . . . . 10 

20 

10 

Total 100 

From this list it will be seen that for colour 

the highest points are given, and that eyes 

may be green or orange. But during the 

two years which have elapsed since the forma- 

tion of the Silver Society, there has been a 

decided desire on the part of breeders for 

green eyes only, and certainly our best qualified 

silver judges are not partial to any other 

coloured eyes in this variety. In an article 

on the colour of eyes in silvers, " Zaida " of 

Fur and Feather writes : 

" Eye colouring 

threatens to become a matter of fashion. 

Some eight years ago we received from a first- 

rate fancier and exhibitor a letter respecting 

a chinchilla cat, which later became a great 

" SHAH OF PERSIA. 

THE PROPERTY OF MRS. ANNINGSON.


' 

It is useless,' wrote this lady, 

prize-winner. 

' 

to think of exhibiting her on account of her 

green eyes.' What a change of opinion has 

marked the 

" 

flight of ! 

eight years 

It will be observed that, as regards the 

description of chinchillas and shaded silvers, 

there is a distinction and yet no very great 

difference, and herein lay the difficulty of 

retaining these two classes at our shows. The 

lightest silvers were deemed eligible for the 

chinchilla class, and then came the question 

for exhibitor and judge to draw the line be- 

tween the two so-called varieties, and to decide 

what degree of paleness constituted a chin- 

chilla and what amount of dark markings 

would relegate the specimen into the shaded 

silver class. The cat world became agitated, 

exhibitors were puzzled, and judges exasper- 

ated. There were letters to the cat papers 

" 

on the silver muddle." Show secretaries 

were worried with inquiries. I recollect a 

would-be exhibitor writing to me sending 

a piece of her silver cat's fur, and asking 

whether her puss should be in the chinchilla 

or shaded silver class ; but even with her 

" FULMEK ZAIDA." 

SILVER, OWNED BY LADY DECIES. 

(Photo 

lengthy description and the sample before me, 

I dared not venture an opinion, and I used 

generally to reply to such letters by saying 

I did not know in which class to enter my 

own silver cat, and so I was going to keep 

him at home. 

One correspondent, appealing 

columns of the papers, wrote : 

through the 

" 

Everyone 

knows a black or white or brown tabby, but 

how can we exhibitors discern between the 

number of shadings on our silver cats as to 

which class they belong ? Do kindly air my 

grievance, and oblige." 

It was quite pathetic to see the faces of disappointed 

exhibitors at the Westminster show 

of 1901, when several beautiful creatures who 

had travelled many a weary mile to be penned 

and admired were rewarded with a " Wrong 

Class " ticket only. They were either too 

light or too dark for the class in which their 

owners had entered them, and all hope of 

honour and glory and golden coins and silver 

vanished into thin air ! At one show I 

cups 

recollect a cat was accounted by the judge a 

chinchilla and a shaded silver, and he came 

off very well with special prizes for both 

varieties. No doubt he really was either one 

or the other, or both ! 

It was no wonder, therefore, that a reaction 

set in, and exhibitors and judges felt alike that 

something must be done, and that, at any rate 

: E. Landor, Baling.) 

for a time, it would be better to have only the 

two classes for silvers and silver tabbies, and 

that specials might be given to encourage the 

lightest 

cats. The abolition of the threefold 

classification was therefore taken into consider- 

ation when the Silver Society was broken up 

by the departure of Mrs. Champion to America, 

and the Silver and Smoke Persian Cat Society

SILVER OK CHINCHILLA PERSIANS. 

came into existence, with Mr. H. V. James tinted silvers is the palest. We shall gradually 

as Hon. Secretary. but surely breed out the tabby markings if 

The following are the objects of the fanciers will, so to speak, nail the right colour 

Society : 

The title of this Society, which (under the name of 

The Silver Society) was founded in July, 1900, is 

" THE SILVER AND SMOKE PERSIAN CAT SOCIETY." 

are : 

The objects of the Society 

i. To improve 

the breeds of 

long-haired silver (or chin- 

chilla), shaded silver, silver 

tabby, and smoke 

coloured cats and kittens, 

male, female, and neuter. 

2. To guarantee extra classes 

for these breeds at shows 

supported by 

the Society, 

when neces- 

sary. 

3. To offer prizes 

for the said 

breeds at shows 

supported by 

the Society. 

4. To hold shows 

independently, 

or in conjunction 

with other 

Societies or 

Clubs when it 

TROUBADOR. 

SILVER, BRED BY MRS. E. N. BARKER. 

to the mast and keep on striving to breed 

UP to ê Pel"fect type. 

" 

What is 

To quote Mr. C. A. House : 

wanted is for breeders to work on standard 

lines, and not push forward 

with such persistency their 

own pet particular whims. 

All that is required is for 

breeders to be determined 

to breed honestly and con- 

sistently for what the standard 

advocates, and leave 

severely alone all excesses 

and exaggerations. 

Let us have chinchillas 

free from markings by all 

means, but let us keep 

our shadings, our silver 

colour, remembering that 

pure 

silver is of a bluish 

tinge, and is not the 

article some 

whitey-brown 

would have us accept as 

the ideal in chinchilla 

cats." The same author- 

5. 

shall be deemed expedient by the members. 

To elect 6. 

specialist judges to make the awards 

at shows supported by the Society. 

To establish and maintain a standard of 

points for the above-mentioned breeds. 

ity, writing on the threefold classification, 

says : 

" 

I have always maintained that the 

threefold classification in silvers was a mistake, 

and the majority of breeders, I am 

pleased to It was in March, 1902, that voting papers 

know, are coming round to that 

view. My opinion, when first enunciated, was 

on this burning question were sent out to not popular. With some it is not to-day, 

members of the new society, with the follow- But many who at one time could not see the 

ing result : For the threefold classification, 20 ; force of my arguments now do so, and there 

against, 32. Therefore, by the wish of the is a more majority, 

general feeling that the craze for self 

it was decided to give up the three- silvers is not conducive to the welfare of the 

fold classification for the present. 

silvers as a breed." 

The Silver and Smoke Persian Cat Society Amongst the well-known breeders, fanciers, 

is now in a most flourishing condition, with and exhibitors of silvers in the present day, 

about 150 members. It is the fervent hope I may mention Lady Marcus Beresford, who 

and earnest endeavour of each and all of the owns some beautiful specimens of the cele- 

fanciers of silvers in the society to breed a brated " Lord Southampton " strain. A handperfectly 

unmarked specimen, and with perse- somer type of silver female cannot be met 

verance we may in time puzzle the judge to with than " Dimity," bred by Miss Cochran, 

decide which cat in a large class of lightly and presented by her to Lady Marcus Beres-


ford. Lady Decies is the proud possessor of 

the incomparable " Zaida," whose record of 

wins is a marvellous one. As all the cat 

world knows, " Zaida " is accounted the light- 

est and most unmarked specimen in the fancy. 

Mrs. W. R. Hawkins has bred some wonder- 

fully good silvers, and was the owner of 

" Sweet Lavender," which has been acknow- 

ledged as one of the best of this breed that 

ever existed. The following are the principal 

Hon. Mrs. McLaren 

silver breeders : The 

Morrison, Mrs. G. H. Walker, Mrs. Neild, 

Mrs. Russell Biggs, Mrs. Wcllbye, Mrs. Martin, 

Mrs. T. Drake, Mrs. Cubitt, Mrs. Marriott, 

Mrs. Balding, Mrs. Poole, Mrs. Ormerod, Mrs. 

Fawsett, Miss White Atkins, Miss Snell, Miss 

Horsman, Miss Dell, Miss Meeson, The Hon. 

Philip Wodehouse, Miss Chamberlayne. 

During the last few years a very large 

number of silver cats have been placed at 

stud, but we may regard three cats as the 

founders of the breed or as the pillars of 

the silver strain namely, " Silver Lambkin." 

" Lord Southampton," and " Lord Argent." 

To these worthy ancestors a very large proportion 

of the silvers of to-day can trace their 

lineage. But this noble trio is naturally being 

" 

superseded by such stud cats as Silver 

" 

Starlight," "Tintagel," Cambyses," "The 

Absent-minded Beggar," " Pathan of Dingley," 

"Jupiter Duvals," "St. Anthony," "Rob 

Roy of Arrandale," " The Silver Sultan." and 

many others. There is, therefore, now no 

excuse for in-breeding, which used to be 

carried on to a great extent when so limited 

a number of sires were forthcoming. To in- 

discriminate and injudicious in-breeding may be 

largely attributed the great delicacy amongst 

silver cats. There is no doubt that the 

number of fatalities among silver kittens is 

far in excess of that of any other breed. Then, 

again, the size of silver cats compares unfavour- 

ably with others, and they are wanting in 

muscle and bone. We do not want huge, 

coarse, heavy silvers, but breeders and judges 

sometimes show an utter disregard for size 

and strength, and the consequence is we see 

a number of ladylike looking studs that fail 

miserably in these very essential points. 

Breeders should aim at the happy medium 

between the liliputian and the leviathan, but 

not be content unless their silver studs turn 

the scales at 10 Ib. As regards the mating 

of silvers, a broad line to lay down is to avoid 

tabby markings. It is for this reason that 

smokes have been wisely selected by most 

breeders as the best cross for a silver. It is 

more than probable that in many cases some 

nondescript sort of kittens will be the result. 

These sort of 

light smokes are exceedingly 

pretty cats and make fascinating pets, but 

they are useless for breeding purposes or 

exhibiting. I have known of some handsome 

specimens 

that have wandered from class to 

class, only to be disqualified 

in each and 

" 

either, and it was a case of, When judges 

" 

disagree, who shall decide ? 

Several experiments have been tried of 

crossing a white Persian with a silver in order 

to get pale coloured kittens, but this appears 

seldom to succeed unless the whites have 

silver blood in them. Some breeders have 

tried blues with silvers, but there is the danger 

of introducing the grey blue undercoat which 

gives such a smudgy appearance to a silver 

and is suggestive of a badly coloured smoke. 

It does not at all follow that the mating of 

two light silvers will produce light coloured 

and unmarked kittens, yet this cross and the 

smoke are the safest. It must be a work of 

time, as we have before said, to breed out the 

tabby markings of many generations. 

The name of Mrs. Balding is as well known 

to breeders of silvers of the past as it is at 

the present day. In the past, however, it was 

Gresham this enthusiastic 

as Miss Dorothy 

fancier won her laurels. I well remember the 

sensation caused by the appearance in the 

show pen of the " Silver Lambkins " at the 

Crystal Palace in 1888. To breeders, ex- 

hibitors, and cat fanciers generally the following 

account of chinchillas from the earliest 

days, specially written for this book by Mrs. 

Balding, should be exceedingly interesting :

" There is probably no variety of long- 

haired cat which has caused so much dis- 

cussion, notwithstanding that, with the ex- 

ception of the light-coloured reds, which have 

been designated 

' 

creams,' the chinchilla is 

the cat which has most recently gained distinction 

as a separate variety. The notoriety 

which the. chinchilla enjoys has been in great 

part brought about by the delicacy of its 

appearance and the difficulty that has been 

experienced in the production of a perfect 

specimen. Many cats are called chinchillas 

and are exhibited as such, often winning 

prizes, but very few indeed are of the pale 

silver tint, with bright emerald eyes, and with 

no bars or stripes on the legs or head. 

" The chief subjects that have been under 

discussion in connection with the chinchilla 

cat have been the colour of eyes and the shade 

of the coat ; but, with regard to the former, I 

think it must be acknowledged that green is 

a more suitable accompaniment to silver than 

yellow or orange, and, as regards the latter, 

that silver, with dainty sheen evenly distri- 

buted, is more to be desired than a patchy 

grey, dull in hue and unattractive to the 

eye. As a matter of fact, these shaded grey 

specimens are in reality only ill-marked silver 

10 


TWO VIEWS. 

(Photo: E. Landor, Baling.) 

tabbies. They must, however, not be alto* 

gether despised, as they have been the steppingstones 

which have led to the creation of the 

chinchilla. 

" It is something like twenty years ago that, 

amongst the competitors in the classes for 

long-haired tabbies at the Crystal Palace and 

other important shows, was occasionally to be 

seen an alien with the ground colour of the 

silver tabby, but with very few stripes on 

the body. These cats were evidently sports 

from the silver tabby, so much so that the 

class for that section was the only one open 

to them ; and, although they invariably 

showed great quality, breeders were loth to 

exhibit them in the medley of different 

coloured tabbies, where one of their chief 

beauties the absence of stripes became a 

disadvantage. Their only chance of distinction 

lay in putting in an appearance at 

provincial shows, where the authorities were 

sometimes to be induced to attach two cat 

classes to the rabbit division one for longhaired 

of any colour, and the other for short- 

haired. In this indiscriminate assemblage, 

no colour having been stated, chinchillas when 

present wrought great havoc, although it 

cannot be denied that the judges of the day


gave precedence to a well - marked silver 

tabby. 

" Amongst these outcasts was a cat of 

striking beauty, 

This was ' 

whose like has not been seen 

again. 

Sylvie,' of unknown pedigree, 

owned by the late Mrs. Christopher, at 

whose death she became the property of the 

late Miss Saunders, of Peterborough. A 

beautiful portrait of this exquisite chinchilla 

is given in Mr. Harrison Weir's book ' 

Our 

Cats.' When judging at the Crystal Palace in 

1886, this connoisseur and judge of worldwide 

repute awarded her first prize, medal, 

and special for the best long-haired cat, 

getting over the difficulty of her silvery, 

unmarked coat by calling her a very light 

blue tabby, though the puzzle was to find the 

tabby. 

" 

Another chinchilla of the early 'eighties 

was Miss Florence Moore's ' 

Queenie,' who 

would, had chinchilla classes been provided at 

that time, have been loaded with championships 

and honours. In colour she was as 

light as any of our present-day celebrities, and 

might easily, from her freedom from markings, 

have earned the dubious compliment of the 

MRS. BALDING S " SILVER LAMBKIN. 

: (Photo E. Landor, Ealing.) 

uninitiated so highly prized by owners of 

chinchillas of being mistaken 

white. Miss Florence Moore, 

for 

who 

a grubby 

later on 

had one of the best and largest catteries in 

the country, bred ' 

Queenie ' 

from her ' 

winner of many 

Judy,' 

first prizes, a heavily marked 

silver tabby of Mrs. Brydges' noted breed, 

and ' 

Fez,' a light silver cat with indefinite 

stripes. 

" Mrs. Brydges can claim the distinction 

of having owned, something like half a century 

ago, some' of the first long-haired cats 

ever imported into England. A coincidence 

worthy of note is that though there is no 

record of her having bred or possessed a 

chinchilla, two never-to-be-forgotten pairs of 

chinchilla kittens Miss Florence Moore's 

' 

Chloe ' 

and ' 

Dinah,' winners of first and 

medal on three successive occasions at the 

Crystal Palace, Brighton, and Bexley, 1887 

(they being the only chinchillas at any of 

these shows), and Miss Gresham's ' 

Silver 

Lambkins,' who swept the board in 1888, 

winning the specials at the Crystal Palace from 

forty-six pairs of other competitors of all 

colours could in each case trace descent to 

the Cheltenham stock ' 

Chloe ' 

through 

' 

Silver Lambkins,' through 

and ' 

' 

the afore-mentioned Judy ' 

their sire ' 

Dinah,' 

and the 

Rah- 

man,' also bred by Mrs. Brydges. 

" Still more remarkable, these two couples 

of youthful prodigies were first cousins, on 

the other side of their pedigrees, the noted 

"Fluffy II.' and 'Beauty' being bred by 

Mrs. Vallance. 

" ' 

Chinnie,' the Mother of chinchillas, is 

familiar in name to every breeder of this 

lovely variety, and the following letter, of 

the early 'eighties, relating to her birth and 

buying, will perhaps prove interesting to the 

up-to-date silver fancier. It is copied from 

the original in the possession of Mrs. Val- 

lance. One guinea appears to have been a 

price to talk of in those days. Now, one 

would be tempted to hide the fact of such a 

small amount, and if a specimen were offered 

to us at this low figure we should certainly 

desire it to be sent on approval.

' 


- THE VICARAGE, SANDAL MAYNER, 

NEAR WAKEFIELD, 

October 141/1, 1882. 

To Mrs. VALLAXCE. 

' 

MADAM, The kitten I have to sell is quite 

pure bred. The mother I bought 

for \ is. when 

quite a kitten from prize parents. The father is 

one we bred partly from Mrs. Radford's breed and 

partly from a splendid torn cat that was found 

living wild at Babbicombe, and that we had in our 

possession for some months, but unfortunately he 

is lost again now I am afraid permanently. I 

think this kitten promises to be very like the mother. 

She is very handsome and has good points brush, 

ear tips, and so on but I consider her rather small. 

But the kitten may be finer, as the father is a large 

cat. Miss Grant's are related to ours on the father's 

side, but Mrs. Radford's very distantly, if at all. 

' 

I do not think these Angora kittens are delicate. 

We have never failed in rearing them. The more 

new milk they have, and the better feeding, the finer 

cats they are likely to make. We do not have much 

trouble in keeping ours at home, as we live some distance 

from the village. We always give ours their 

principal meal at 6 p.m., and keep them shut up in 

a hay-loft until next morning. If you have a box 

wherever the kitten lives, with sifted sand or cinders 

in it, kept in a corner, you will find that the best 

way to ensure habits of cleanliness. If I hear nothing 

from you to the contrary I will send the kitten on 

Wednesday morning, igth, by the early train from 

Derby station ; and if you are not satisfied with 

the kitten I am willing for it to be returned within 

a day or two, if the return journey is paid and I am 

let know beforehand when to expect it. 

' 

I remain, yours truly, 

' 

GRACE HURT.' 

A letter redolent of lavender and old-world 

deliberation, but words of wisdom for all that. 

The reported delicacy of long-haired cats would 

trouble us less if we had more of the new milk 

and hay-loft system. Raw meat, raw eggs, 

new milk, fresh air, grass, and water are the 

sole ingredients required to rear the most 

valuable kitten. 

' 

Chinnie's ' 

point. 

size is another interesting 

She grew to medium weight, but was 

remarkable for symmetry of form rather than 

bulk. 

" Some of the loveliest chinchillas are small, 

but 'Nizam,' 'Tod Sloan,' 'Ameer,' 'Silver 

Lambkin,' ' 

Laddie,' ' 

Lord Argent,' 

' 

Silver 

Mist,' ' 

' 

St. Anthony stand out 

Cherub,' and ' 

MRS. BALDING S "FLUFFIE TOD. 

as being as large, or larger, than any cats of 

other colours, and the majority of them have 

also the purity of colour, broad heads, and 

short legs so often lacking in large cats. The 

legginess and want of quality which frequently 

accompanies size doubtless cause our leading 

judges to deem it of little account. 

" 

The name chosen by Mrs. Vallance for 

her new acquisition proves that even in those 

early days the term chinchilla was in vogue. 

' 

Chinnie's ' 

wins were third Maidstone, 

Sittingbourne, V.H.C. Oxford, Maidstone. 

Her charming little mate ' 

Fluffy I.,' a very 

pure silver with undecided tabby markings, 

also showed the quality of coat and cherub 

face for which their descendants have been 

unsurpassed. He was bred in 1883 by Miss 

Acland from imported cats, and won first and 

medal at Maidstone, Cheltenham, and Ealing, 

second Ryde, V.H.C. Crystal Palace, Oxford,, 

and Lincoln. His career ended in 1886, when 

he disappeared. Tradition whispers he was 

destroyed in the village. 

" ' 

In April, 1885, 

litter by ' 

' 

Vezzoso ' 

Chinnie ' 

produced a 

Fluffy I.,' two members of which 

and ' 

Beauty ' 

have earned un- 

dying fame in the annals of chinchilla history. 

' 

Vezzoso,' a marvel of lavender loveliness, in

148 

" SEA FOAM." 

THE PROPERTY OF MR. LAUGHTON. 

his one brief year of existence won first in the 

open class and silver medal for best in show 

Albert Palace, 1885, first Louth, Maidstone, 

second Frome, third Lincoln. 

"In fatal 1886 ' 

Vezzoso,' who belied his 

exquisite appearance by being very un- 

domesticated, like his maternal grandfather 

the wild cat of Babbicombe, roamed to 

return no more. 

' 

Lost in the woods ' 


is his 

epitaph. 

" 

An even more tragic fate befel ' 

Fluffy II.,' 

the 1886 son of ' 

I.' and 

' 

Fluffy Chinnie,' who 

after winning first Crystal Palace, first and 

silver medal for best in show Brighton, second 

Albert Palace and Ealing, and siring the two 

before-mentioned kittens of the year, died in 

1887 from the effects of an accident in which 

he was internally injured. Thus within little 

more than a year Mrs. Vallance lost three of 

the most promising young cats anyone could 

possess. At the time their owner scarcely 

realised their value, and allowed them absolute 

freedom, with such sad results. 

" But undoubtedly the best result of the 

' 

Fluffy ' 

and ' 

Chinnie ' 

alliance was ' 

Beauty,' 

from whom, as already stated, came the 

' 

Silver Lambkins.' As a kitten she became 

the property of Miss Howe, of Bridgyate, 

near Bath, and later, by a breeding arrangement 

with the Miss Greshams (now Mrs. 

Bridgwater and Mrs. Balding), had three 

remarkable litters of chinchilla kittens, the 

first by ' 

Rahman,' who shortly 

strayed from home and was lost. 

afterwards 

This was 

the litter which produced four queens, including 

the two 

' 

Silver Lambkins,' and 

which (with the exception of one renamed 

' 

Mimi,' who went to America with her owner) 

all unfortunately died. 

" 

The second of Bridgyate 

' 

Beauty's ' 

litters was by Mrs. Shearman's 'Champion 

Perso,' a magnificent light smoke with remarkable 

coat and wonderful mane, winner of 

a large number of first and special prizes. In 

this lot was a torn kitten destined to be a pillar 

of the chinchilla stud book, the 

' 

Silver 

Lambkin,' named after his deceased half- 

sisters. The chief beauties of this remarkable 

cat are his size and muscular frame, the length 

and thickness of coat, and the enormous frill 

inherited from 'Champion Perso,' which spreads 

Elizabethan like round his shoulders and falls 

to his feet in front, a cascade of silvery white 

may 

fluff several inches long. To ' 

Perso ' 

be traced in some degree 

' 

Silver Lambkin's ' 

success as the sire of unmarked cats, and to 

' 

Beauty ' 

their pale colour, green eyes, 

perfect shape, which have won for her 

and 

descendants 

by ' 

Lambkin ' 

upwards of 150 

first prizes. 

" At the time ' 

Silver Lambkin ' 

was bred 

there was no chinchilla stud cat, and no one 

had thought of trying to breed chinchillas, 

for whom, as before stated, there was no 

encouragement at shows or at home. 

" 

The third litter which brought further 

fame to ' 

Beauty ' 

' 

was by Bonny Boy,' who 

in the early 'nineties was placed second in the 

class for silver tabbies at the Crystal Palace, 

but was considered by admirers of chinchillas 

to be the best cat in the whole show an 

honour, however, which came to him a month 

later when at Brighton he was awarded the 

special for the most perfect specimen 

of the 

Persian breed in the exhibition ; he had

previously been claimed at Sydenham, by the 

Hon. Mrs. McLaren Morrison, at his catalogue 

price of 6 6s., and was afterwards renamed 

' 

Nizam.' 

" 

The only information that could be obtained 

about this beautiful cat was that he 

was exhibited by Mrs. Davies and that he 

came from Wales. Report suggested that he 

was imported, but there is no evidence of any 

chinchilla cat having been sent from abroad. 

" ' 

Beauty's ' 

SILVER OR CHINCHILLA PERSIAA T S. 149 

' 

litter by Nizam ' 

the first prize to a heavily marked silver tabby, 

thus totally ignoring the desired object. 

This occurred at the Crystal Palace in 1893 

or 1894. The two first classes ever given for 

chinchillas were this one and that given at 

Cruft's first cat show at Westminster, held 

in March, 1894. 

" The next that was heard of ' 

Twin ' 

that she had succumbed 

from the 

MRS. WELLBYE'S " SILVER LOTUS." 

{Photo : E. Lamlor, Eating.) 

consisted 

of one male and four females, two of which, 

' 

as Twin and I 'so named because they 

were so exactly alike won first prizes and 

medals wherever shown. Another was sold by 

me to Mrs. Martin, which, as ' 

Lambkin Queen,' 

was the foundation of the afterwards noted 

cattery at High Wycombe. 'Twin' eventually 

went to Mr. Lawton, who renamed her ' 

Queen 

of the Mist.' Mated with 'Silver Lambkin' 

she produced ' 

Sea Foam,' the first chinchilla 

to win a prize in a class solely confined to cats 

of the colour. There was an amusing coin- 

cidence about this win, inasmuch as after 

considerable trouble had been taken to get a 

separate class for chinchillas, the judge gave 

10* 

effects of swallowing a needle. 

was 

' 

I,' registered as 

' 

I, Beauty's Daughter,' remained the whole of 

her lifetime at The Lodge, Penge, where, when 

paired with the pale 

' 

Southampton 

blue ' 

Duchess ' 

Champion Bundle,' 

was the result, the 

latter the mother of the ' 

Silver Lambkin's ' 

most sensational son ' 

Lord South- 

Champion 

ampton,' who was sold by Mrs. Greenwood 

for 60, when he became the property of 

Lady Decies, this being probably the highest 

price that has ever been given in England for 

a cat of any variety. 'Champion Lord South- 

ampton,' who has been a very great winner, is 

remarkable for the lightness of colour and slight 

markings of his kittens, this being undoubtedly 

due to the strain of blue in his blood. Many


beautiful cats own him as sire, notably Miss 

Leake's ' 

Mrs. Bluhm's ' 

Seraph,' Silver Sultan,' 

Mrs. Neild's ' 

Absent-minded Beggar,' Miss 

White Atkins' 

' 

Tintagel,' Mrs. Tyrwhitt 

Drake's 

' 

Musa,' Mrs. Rickett's 

' 

Empress 

Josephine,' Mrs. Earwaker's 

' 

Buxton Cloud.' 

Mrs. Geo. Walk- 

er's 'Woodheys 

Fitzroy,' Mrs. 

Barnes' ' 

Nourmahal,' 

winner 

of the Chinchilla 

Club challenge 

for the best kit- 

ten, 1899, and a 

daughter of 

' 

Champion Fulmer 

Zaida,' 

shown by Lady 

Decies at the 

Crystal Palace 

in 1901, also 

' 

Green - 

eyed 

Monster.' 

" Whilst speaking of ' 

Tintagel ' 

MRS. WELLBYE S 

(Photo 

: E. L 

it may be 

remembered that he sired a charming, litter 

exhibited by Mrs. Poole, which were first at the 

National Cat Club show at the Crystal Palace, 

and one of which won as a single kitten at 

the Botanic Gardens in 1902. 

" Other famous progeny of ' 

Silver Lambkin ' 

are ' 

Silver Mist,' ' 

' 

Watership Caesar (who won 

the gold medal at Boston, U.S.A., for the best 

cat in the show, 1902), ' 

Silver Tod Sloan,' 

'Silver Owl,' Mrs. Bluhm's 'Silver Lily,' 

' 

Silver Squire,' and ' 

Mowgli,' the last named 

bred by Mrs. Dunderdale, but later the property 

of Mrs. Smyth, of Forest Hill, one of the 

most enthusiastic admirers of chinchillas, who 

has in her possession the stuffed figure of 

' 

Beauty.' 

" A chinchilla that gained a considerable 

was ' 

notoriety Sweet Lavender,' the property 

of Mr. Hawkins. This was a beautiful specimen, 

very light in colour. The latter was 

also a distinctive feature of the Hon. Mrs. 

McLaren Morrison's ' 

Ameer,' a son of ' 

Lamb- 

kin Queen,' who stands prominently forward 

as one of the most perfect of his kind. Mrs. 

Martin's ' 

St. Anthony,' whose name appears 

in the pedigrees of several winners, is a brother 

Ameer.' 

of ' 

" 

As the sire of Lady Decies' ' 

Fulmer Zaida,' 

Champion 

the most lovely chinchilla 

* female that 

has ever been 

seen, 'Silver 

SILVER " DOSSIE. 

andor, Ealing.) 

Laddie,' who is 

now unfortun- 

ately gone to his 

happy huntinggrounds, 

can 

claim to have 

been one of the 

most noted of 

sires, more particularly 

as he 

was also the 

father of many 

others of great 

value, prominent 

amongst 

which were Miss Horsman's 'Aramis,' Miss 

Snell's ' 

Starlight,' 

' 

Silver Cherub,' ' 

Lady of 

Quality ' 

(one of the most perfect chinchillas 

ever bred), 'Charterhouse Pixie' (the dam of 

'Tod Sloan'), and numberless others. 

" 

Not only as a chinchilla, but when competing 

with all breeds of cats, both long and 

short haired, ' 

Champion Fulmer Zaida ' 

has 

proved her excellence, and has on more than 

one occasion secured the cup at the Crystal 

Palace for the best cat in the whole show. 

She was bred by Mrs. Bluhm, one of the pioneers 

of chinchillas, and, it is stated, has now won 

136 first and special prizes, 

and that Lord 

Decies has refused 90 for her. 

" ' 

Zaida ' 

has also produced some first-class 

kittens, amongst which was Miss Stisted's 

' 

Pearl,' the owner of the latter pretty queen 

being a most devoted admirer of the chinchilla 

and sparing no expense to further its 

interests. 

" Mrs. Bluhm's strain of chinchillas are all 

very light in colour, and show great quality, 

which may also be said of those of Mrs. Wellbye,

whose ' 

Silver Lotus ' 

and ' 

of ' 

' 

Silver Squire and ' 

OR CHINCHILLA PERSIANS. 

Veronica,' daughters 

Dossie,' did so much 

winning in their day. 

" Miss Meeson has also shown considerable 

enthusiasm in her endeavour to reach the 

ideal, her best efforts having resulted in 

' 

Jupiter Duvals,' of wide fame. 

" Two clubs have been formed in connection 

with the chinchilla cat one, the Silver Society, 

embraced other coloured cats besides the 

chinchilla, this eventually becoming the Silver 

and Smoke Persian Cat Society. It was owing 

to this club encouraging shaded, or marked, 

silver cats and orange eyes that the Chinchilla 

Club was formed by Mrs. Balding. This 

Club has the honour of having as patron 

H.S.H. Princess Victoria of Schleswig-Holstein, 

who owns and exhibits some beautiful chin- 

chillas, and Lord Decies as vice-president. 

" The Chinchilla Club gives its support and 

specials, besides guaranteeing classes at any 

show whose management apply The con- 

ditions on which the specials are presented 

is that the cats to which they are awarded 

must be the property of members of the club, 

prize-winners in their respective classes, and 

registered cats. 

" The club prizes usually consist of half a 

guinea in each class, and the more coveted 

Special of the club's badge for the best chinchilla 

of either sex. Badges were selected in 

place of the ubiquitous medal, because most 

of the dainty professional beauties very soon 

obtain a considerable number of the latter, 

and smart little badges were more appreciated. 

" 

The club's present challenge trophy for 

chinchilla kittens is a solid silver model of 

' 

Silver Lambkin,' offered by the hon. secretary 

for competition amongst its members ; 

it is 

also open to members of the National Cat Club, 

in acknowledgment of the compliment paid 

by the latter to the original in choosing his 

statuette to surmount their challenge cup. 

The little history of the origin of this special 

has never appeared in print before, and as 

I was not present at the committee meeting 

referred to, 

' 

I tell the tale as 'twas told to me.' 

When the challenge cups of the National Cat 

Club were designed in 1897, it was decided that 

the beauty and interest attached to them 

should be enhanced by immortalising on each 

the most representative cat of the long-haired 

and short-haired varieties. For the latter the 

was chosen without hesi- 

great ' 

Xenophon ' 

tation. Then came the more difficult task 

of deciding upon a recipient for the distinction 

from the long-haired ranks, which claim so 

much oi-the beauty and wealth of winnings 

of the cat world as to render the singling out 

of one a matter of consideration. To hasten 

the termination of the discussion Mrs. Stennard 

Robinson sent for a collection of cat photo- 

graphs which had been left to her by the late 

Miss Portman, the well-known ' 

Kara Avis ' 

the Lady's Pictorial. Amongst these the hon. 

secretary of the N.C.C. pointed out one with 

no name attached as the most beautiful 

photograph of the lot. This was by 

recognised 

most of the committee as being ' 

Silver 

Lambkin,' so the honour fell to him. 

"By some error at the makers' the longhaired 

cat was placed on both challenge cups, 

and it was determined by the club that the 

superfluous model which had to be removed 

' 

and replaced by Xenophon ' 

of 

should be 

mounted as a 

letter-weight 

and given as a 

challenge prize 

for kittens, 

to be won 

.\IRS. WKI.LUYK'S SILVER " VERONICA.' 

(Photo : E. Landor, Eating.) 

three times 

before be-


coming the property 

of the winner. After 

some keen competition, covering about half a 

dozen shows, Mrs. Martin won it outright in 

1899, when it was replaced by the present 

exactly similar model. 

" 

The endeavour of the Chinchilla Cat Club, 

of which all the leading breeders and most 

successful exhibitors are members, is to 

continue the work that has been done to 

improve chinchillas, and to produce a new 

variety the colour of the palest shade of the 

fur (dyed) known as ' 

blue fox,' or a very light 

shade of pigeon blue. Without doubt such a 

result can be obtained by careful selection and 

' 

the little more.' Darwin's words on the 

subject of selection are attractive to all 

owners of live stock. He says : 

' 

Improvement 

is by no means due to crossing different breeds. 

All the best breeders are strongly opposed 

to this practice, except 

closely allied sub-breeds. 

sometimes amongst 

And when a cross 

has been made, the closest selection is far 

more indispensable even than in ordinary 

cases. If selection consisted merely in 

separating some very distinct variety and 

breeding from it, the principle would be so 

obvious as to be hardly worth notice ; but 

the importance consists ' 

in the great effect 

produced by the accumulation in one direction 

during successive generations .of differences 

absolutely unappreciable by 

an uneducated 

eye. Not one man in a thousand has the 

sufficient to 

accuracy of eye and judgment 

become an eminent breeder. . . . Few would 

readily believe in the natural capacity and 

years of practice requisite 

to become even a 

skilful pigeon fancier.' 

" The Chinchilla Cat Club is also prepared 

to encourage cats of new colours, which should 

now be not so very difficult to produce, con- 

sidering the points that have been brought out 

in those varieties that were well known, the 

latter showing that it is possible to breed to a 

standard if is judgment used in the endeavour 

to do so. Some of us remember the time 

when a blue cat, either long- pr short-haired 

(now the largest classes), was a rara avis when 

was the only Siamese at 

Mrs. Lee's ' 

Meo ' 

the Crystal Palace show, smokes an equal 

oddity, blue eyes in a white cat a comparatively 

unnoticed point, and cream - coloured cats 

entirely unknown. 

" The colour of the chinchilla has been bred 

in various ways. In bygone days, when 

chinchilla cats were flukes or freaks and few 

and far between, methods which would now 

be considered somewhat eccentric were re- 

sorted to by the first breeders of the colour. 

The useful tortoiseshell, from which black, 

red, cream, or tabby cats can be got, was 

pressed into the service, and, paired with a silver 

or light blue tabby not too clearly marked, 

would occasionally, amid the multi-coloured 

kittens for which tortoiseshells are proverbial, 

throw a medium chinchilla or light silver tabby, 

which with careful selection might, a generation 

or two later, develop into something approaching 

a good chinchi la. 

" 

But it is, perhaps, more difficult to foretell 

with cats than any other animal what the 

result of pairing will be with anything like 

certainty. This particularly applies to the 

ordinary English cat, as it is impossible to guess 

at the mixture of different-coloured creatures 

which have preceded it, and any 

may influence the progeny of its descendants. 

A fancier who would produce any particular 

specimen must, amongst other gifts, be 

of which 

equipped with the patience of biblical celebrities 

and prepared to wait seven years, as 

one enthusiast actually did before arriving at 

the fulfilment of his desires in the shape of a 

well-marked tabby kitten. 

" 

With pedigree cats, of course, the chances, 

of unexpected traits reappearing in their pro- 

geny are considerably lessened, and, given 

desirable connections on both sides of some 

years' standing, the personal attributes of a 

coming litter may be predicted more or less 

successfully. One of the loveliest of smokes 

the correct black, with white undercoat, without 

the shadow of a stripe was from a brown 

tabby queen, from brown tabby parents, and 

a chinchilla bred from a chinchilla dam and 

smoke sire. Again, a brown tabby with 

white paws, whose appearance did not suggest

SOUTHERN CATTERY, SHOWING ENTRANCE TO INFIRMARY AND INDOOR CATTERY. 

MKS. WALKER VISITING HER PETS. 

TWO VIKWS OF WOODHEYS CATTKKY.


the bluest of blood, mated with the same 

chinchilla sire, produced in a litter three chin- 

chillas and two faintly marked silver tabbies, 

which would nowadays have been styled 

' 

shaded silvers ' 

followers of the dubious 

by 

hue. Needless to say, these instances are not 

given to encourage the idea of breeding chin- 

chillas from brown tabbies, but as illustrations 

11 SILVER BLOSSOM. 

OWNED BY MRS. WALKER. 

(Photo : Finiilow & Co., High Wycombe.) 

that just as the results of pairing a cat with 

one of nondescript pedigree cannot be guessed, 

so in an animal carefully bred for generations 

so indelibly have the characteristics of the 

breed or variety been stamped upon it 

by past ancestors that it is practically impossible 

for them to become obliterated or 

submerged. 

" Thus the type once fixed survives, though 

it be by the aid of the most incongruous con- 

nection, such as a brown tabby. Had the 

latter been the patrician bred from progenitors 

of her colours, and the chinchilla been the one 

of doubtful lineage, the result must, of course, 

have been reversed, and the kittens, in all 

probability, would have followed the brown 

tabby strain. If neither parent cat when 

of distinct varieties can boast a particularly 

dominant strain, the offspring naturally partakes 

of the peculiarities of both. 

" Colour, in chinchillas, is the most important 

point. It should be of palest silver, lav- 

ender tint, and lighter in fact, practically 

white at the roots. There should be no dark 

blotches or stripes or brown tint on the back 

or about the nose. A rusty hue is, however, 

sometimes caused by the action of the sun 

or wind. As regards bars or stripes on head, 

these should be as few and light in colour as 

possible, with a view to breeding them out 

altogether in the future. 

" 

The coat should be long and thick, of fine, 

soft texture, much thicker and longer round 

the neck, forming a decided frill and mane, 

the latter reaching well down the fore legs. 

It should also be longer on the hinder 

part of the thighs, forming culotte, and very 

bushy on the tail, which should be short and 

wide. The legs should be slightly feathered, 

with tufts of hair between the toes. There 

should also be tufts in the ears, which should 

be very small and set low. 

" The head should be wide at the forehead 

and short in the muzzle, well filled up below 

the eyes, giving it a round appearance. The 

eyes large and luminous, in colour emerald 

green with black lids. Green and yellow 

mixture is permissible, but not so picturesque 

is not desirable. 

as the green ; yellow in the eyes 

In shape the chinchilla should have a level 

back, and be only slightly long in the couplings. 

The legs should be short, with round paws, 

the latter well padded. When in full coat the 

hair should nearly reach the ground 

and the frill 

envelop the back of the head, making a very 

fascinating whole." 

The following is the standard of points as 

drawn up by the Chinchilla Cat Club. It is 

also used in America as a basis for criticism : 

i . Colour 

of Coat. Palest silver, lavender 

tint preferred, nearly white 

at roots. No dark stripes, blotches, 

or brown tint. Darker tips to the 

long hairs give the coat an appearance 

of being lightly peppered 

with a darker shade. The whole

appearance of the cat to be very 

pale 30 

2. Coat. Long and thick . . . . 20 

3. Texture of Coat. Fine and soft . . 10 

4. Tufts of hair inside and round the ears 

and between the toes . . . . 10 

5. Head. Broad and round; forehead 

wide, ears small and set low, nose 

short . . . . . . 25 

6. Shape. Back level, not too short ; 

legs short, paws round ; brush 


short, wide, and carried low . . 20 

7. Eyes. Large, luminous, and green 

in colour (if green mixed with 

yellow, 5 points only allowed) . . 10 

4 

To breeders of silver Persian cats an article 

Mrs. Neild will be valuable and instructive. 

by 

Mrs. Neild has made, so to speak, a speciality 

of silvers, and owns two noted silver studs 

" " " 

the Absent-minded Beggar and Lord 

Hampton." There are always some good silver 

queens, and very frequently some choice 

kits, disporting themselves in the well-arranged 

catteries at Hart Hill, Bowdon, where Mrs. 

Neild has a kennel of Borzois and a cattery 

of silvers. 

This is what Mrs. Neild says regard- 

ing the breeding and rearing of silver 

Persian cats : 

" 

Perhaps of the many varieties of 

Persian cats and, indeed, they are 

a goodly number as they now 

appear on our show cata- 

logues and schedules the silvers 

may claim their owners to 

be the most sporting of cat 

breeders. Certainly, 

to breed 

successfully it is essential that 

one should possess the not too 

common virtues of unlimited 

patience and perseverance. 

Also experience is necessary. 

"A common occurrence among even old 

hands is to assign a kitten one of a new 

litter under inspection, as being of 

' 

little 

good except as a ' ' 

pet to be sold at a small 

sum to a good home,' and a few weeks later 

discover this same kitten to be the pick of the 

litter. In short, the old, old story of the 

ugly duckling incessantly repeats 

itself in our 

catteries, certainly in those devoted to silver 

cats. Therefore I suspect fanciers who have 

succeeded (all honour to the few !) and those 

who mean to succeed in breeding silver Persian 

cats of possessing a larger stock of patience 

and of having acquired a larger experience 

than their brothers and sisters whose love 

has turned towards the blue, black, or white 

pussies. 

" With these last three one may be tolerably 

sure always taking for granted some know- 

ledge of fairly pure coat colour, and at a 

very early age the best kittens of the litter 

may be picked out those having greatest 

breadth of skull, smallest ears, etc. But the 

silver litters are a veritable surprise packet, 

and remain so for an irritatingly long period. 

Personally, I have found that those kittens 

which, when born, have very pale almost 

white unbarred faces and fore legs are ulti- 

" SILVER BLOSSOM'S " TWO BUDS. 

(Photo: Mr;. G. H. Walker.) 

mately those which grow palest. I take no 

notice of the colour of the coat on the back, 

sides, hind legs, or tail, even if striped, as 

frequently happens, for all these markings 

generally vanish if as I before said the face 

and fore legs are unbarred. I must, however, 

own to one kitten who was born jet black. 

She was by Mrs. Champion's ' 

Lord Argent '

156 Tllf: BOOK OF THE CAT. 

and a shaded silver queen of my own breeding, ah ! 

When a montli old I dubbed her a very bad tutional vigour. 

happy 

accompaniment greater cousti- 

smoke ; at three months she was coatless a 

" 

We are, I believe, too apt, if owning a 

most indecent little person, having shed her pale queen, to mate IKT with the palest known 

coat more completely than I had ever seen stud, disregarding other very important con- 

in cat or kitten. When, after a provokingly siderations in the all-absorbing wish to breed 

white ' 

long period, she again consented to appear the wonderful ' 

dirty king or queen of 

clothed, her dress was of palest silver, unadorned 

by any markings except a very faint 

silvers. Sometimes this atom (verily 

perfection 

so) of 

does make its appearance, and is 

smudge on her forehead and which, alas, 

spoilt her for show a darker tinge on her 

broken tail. How 

is it that to our best 

some accident al- 

ways happens ? So, 

as I could not ex- 

hibit her, I sold her 

to a delightful home 

in the North of England, 

and her ent 

liusiastic owner 

wrote to me a few 

'weeks since that 

enthusiastically greeted. But what of the 

mite itself? A tiny, sickly scrap of a kitten, 

constantly ailing. 

refusing to grow or 

to Weigh, exeept at 

a rate of less than 

halt the average 

blue kitten of its 

own age. But extraordinary 

care 

Lvps the mite alive 

until one day some 

chance draught or a 

maid's carelessness 

her big babies by 

'Lord Hampton' 

were as pale as the 

mother, who herself 

grew steadily of a ends our careful 

nursing, and tinpoor 

owner of that 

' 

lovely dirty 

"wii.n TOM." 

SII.VKK, HRKU r.v MRS. G. 11. WAI .M ;;. 

(I'ltoto: Mrs. G. 11. Walker.) 

white 

kit ' 

at last realises 

fainter silver. 

" 

Unfortunately, 

that this other 

good-bye means it 

silvers more than any other breed of cats lack may be wiser to mate that same pale queen 

bone, caused, of course, by the unavoidable to the strongest, hardiest, biggest-boned stud 

in-breeding practised when this variety of cat possible to be found among our silver studs, 

was first introduced and so enthusiastically 

welcomed, and when but one or two fanciers 

even if he is rather barred. 

" Now mark. From the result of this 

owned a cat of such shade. Another article mating, keep the best of the female kittens 

on this subject, by a lady who may really and marry her if possible, not betore 

claim to have established this breed, will is eighteen (at any rate, fifteen) months 

explain to the reader more than it is in my old to a stud unrelated, sturdy, of unpower 

or province to declare. doubtedly splendid health, for preference 

To go back to the subject of our small paler than herself, and boasting grand head 

silvers, in-bred to delicacy. We should now and the essential tiny ears and short 

remember how many good sires, absolutely nose. Then you may dream your dreams 

unrelated and within easy reach, are placed with a chance of their resulting in a golden 

at 

can 

our disposal. 

be no possible 

Therefore, 

excuse if 

surely there 

in a comparareality. 

" 

If breeders would but spend rather more 

tively short time we do not manage to own thought when they select husbands for their 

silvers big in bone and limb, and owning pussies, they would be indeed repaid. I am

not speaking, of course, to the fortunate few 

who have won their laurels, and of whom I 

would I might learn ; although I rather 

suspect 

result of continual study, coupled with ex- 


their secret of success is but the 

treme care. Would not an enormous increase 

of size and weight soon become evident in 

the occupants of our catteries if, when a 

queen 

was about to be mated, her owner 

would first carefully study the list of points 

the Silver and Smoke Persian 

provided by 

Cat Society (previously quoted in this work), 

jotting down those good qualities to which 

she believes her queen may lay claim, and 

then selecting that sire possessing the points 

most wanting in her own cat of course, never 

forgetting relationship 

in-breeding is 

' 

once in, twice oat,' as all old 

? The old rule about 

fanciers know ; but where silver Persian cats 

are in question, I would most strongly urge 

that this adage be disregarded, and, as a rule, 

avoid in-breeding entirely until a stronger race 

of silver cats is established, cats with frames 

equal to those big blue beauties we see at 

our shows. I think that in a comparatively 

short time of course, always avoiding tabby 

blood, breeding chiefly for bone our silver 

cats may be very different to those of 

limbs to 

to- 

be 

day, those who own too fairylike 

beautiful. 

" A word about our famous sires and, by the 

way, we may congratulate ourselves on having 

within reach so many beauties. Often I have 

letters asking for advice as to which stud 

such and such a queen shall visit ; and, in 

addition to the above suggestions, I would 

remind the owner that length of journey 

should be taken into consideration, and the 

fact that if the chosen sire is extremely popular 

it may be that a better result may be gained 

if the queen is sent to one not so much in 

request, especially 

cat has not been warned before of the visit of 

if the owner of the stud 

your pussie. However, most owners of stud 

cats are extremely careful in limiting the 

number of visitors, and few object to keeping 

Sir Thomas free for a week beforehand if 

given due notice. 

" Do let me urge all whom it may concern 

to keep Madame in close confinement for 

several days after her return home. Indeed, 

in the interest of the owner of both stud and 

queen this is of vast importance, and many a 

disappointment is due to this seemingly small 

neglect. Puss does not always return as one 

would wish, however great the care given her 

whilst away on her holiday, and may take 

her matrimonial affairs into her own paws 

with results^ most unsatisfactory to everyone 

but herself. When the kits arrive, do not if 

you have reason to expect valuable kittens as 

a result of the mating leave more than two 

or three with the mother (I am, of course, 

speaking of silver kittens) for reasons I 

shall directly state. By far the best plan is 

to procure (some time before the birth of 

both litters) a good big English cat as foster 

mother, one known to have brought up a 

previous litter not an old cat. The usual 

method of substituting her foster for her 

own babies is to take away the mother cat 

for a few minutes 

and, removing 

of course, out of sight 

one of her own kittens, rub 

the little silver baby with the hay of the nest 

and against the other kittens so that the 

strange smell sense of all others so wonderfully 

developed in animals may not raise 

suspicion in the foster mother. Then the 

next day remove one or two more. 

" 

May I, at this point, plead that the little 

kittens taken from their mother for your 

benefit should not be drowned ? If they 

must be sent along the silent road to 

the Quiet City, let it be done mercifully 

and by chloroform. Such wee things may 

rest easily in a big biscuit box, the lids 

of which usually close tightly, and about 

I oz. of chloroform poured on a piece of 

flannel or sponge laid on a small saucer 

by their side will send them painlessly to 

sleep. 

" The reason I strongly advise that the 

English 

foster should nurse the best of the 

Want of 

litter is but an echo of the old cry, ' 

bone.' Fed by the sturdy British puss, the 

delicate tiny balls of silver fluff will gain


greater strength, 

and be mothered for a 

longer period than would be possible with 

their real parent. 

" It is necessary to remember that, al- 

though the foster mother needs extra food 

when nursing just as in the case of the 

silver mother more caution must be exer- 

cised when beginning the more liberal diet, 

for very probably, if this is forgotten, a 

liver attack which will also affect the 

precious 

kits will be the result of her un- 

usually liberal fare. Remember, also, to 

inquire of the owner of your foster as to how 

she has been fed. With this knowledge, common 

sense and careful watching of cat and 

kittens will quickly show if it would be better 

to increase or diminish her meals either in 

quantity or quality. It is of enormous value 

to bespeak the foster mother, if possible, 

four or five weeks before the birth of the 

kittens, for then it will not hurt to give her 

what is almost certain to be necessary i.e. 

a worm powder. 

" I always allow my mother pussies as 

''FUR AND F E A T H E R." 

(Photo : Mrs. S. F. Clarke ) 

much milk as they like (although, as a rule, 

my cats drink water), but it should be boiled, 

and one tablespoonful of lime-water added 

to each half-pint. When I once urged this 

care of the foster mother to a friend who 

owned two kittens she was extremely anxious 

to rear, I was laughed to scorn, and assured 

that such fussiness about a strong English cat 

was more than foolish. Yet I would remind 

breeders who are inclined to agree with the 

above opinion that on the perfect health of 

your head nurse rests the future of your 

much-prized litter. On her depends their 

growth, their first chance of throwing off 

their natural delicacy. Mr. House, in one of 

his articles lately published in Fur and Feather, 

advises that kittens should be kept with and 

fed by their mothers as long as sixteen weeks. 

In my humble opinion this is too great a 

strain on any Persian cat, but there may 

be great wisdom in keeping the kits with the 

mother or foster for as long as it is possible 

without overtaxing the cat. The same 

authority speaks of a relay of foster mothers.

I confess this puzzles me, for I should imagine 

that the food supplied by the second mother 

would be too weak in quality (as Nature 

provides it shall be of different quality to suit 

the age of all and every kind of baby) for 

the big kits after that of the first foster, and 

I should have also imagined the second foster 

would refuse to nurse kits so much bigger 

than those she had just left. 

" When my kits are four weeks old I give 

them raw lean beef scraped, not chopped 

beginning with half a teaspoon ful daily, then 

the same quantity twice daily, then three times 

a day; and at the same time teach them to 

lap, using a plate, which, being shallower than 

a saucer, causes less choking and fear to the 

little things." 

Mrs. G. H. Walker, of Woodheys Park, is 

the chief supporter of the Northern Counties 

Cat Club, and is a member of the National 

Cat Club Committee. For several years she 

has been a well-known breeder and exhibitor 

of silver Persians, and has a most excellently 

planned cattery, which I had the pleasure of 

seeing when on a visit to Woodheys Grange. 

Mrs. Walker kindly had some views taken, 

specially for reproduction in these pages. I 

consider the arrangements for the pussies' 

comfort and well-being as 

complete as it is possible to 

make them. The floors of the 

outside catteries, which face 

south, are cemented, so that 

they can be washed over 

every day. The roofs are 

boarded, and then covered 

with galvanised iron, so that 

all the rain runs away easily. 

The spacious apartments are 

fitted with benches and 

ledges, and trunks of trees 

and leafy shrubs are planted 

in the ground for the cats' 

special amusement and ex- 

ercise. The kennels which, 

for the purpose of photographing 

them have been 

placed outside are the cosy 


sleeping dens of the pussies. There is a. 

maid in attendance on these fortunate cats, 

and the man who looks after the kennels, 

of dogs also gives a helping hand. 

In one of the pictures will be seen a stair- 

case, and this leads to three charmingly 

arranged rooms. All the appliances and 

utensils connected with the animals are kept 

in one of these apartments. Another is set 

apart for mothers and their families, and a 

third is kepjt in case of illness for an isolation 

ward. In one of the loose boxes near at 

hand the cooking for the pussies is carried 

on, and there is a larder specially for the 

cats' food. Mrs. Walker devotes much of 

her time to looking after her pets, and great 

has been her sorrow over the untimely death 

of some of her treasured pussies. After 

one of the large shows, infection crept into 

her cattery, and worked most cruel havoc. 

Such losses as Mrs. Walker sustained were 

enough to damp the ardour of the most 

enthusiastic cat lover and fancier ; but the 

lady of Woodheys Grange bravely faced 

the situation, and after a period of sad 

reflection she once again resumed her hobby 

with renewed interest. At the Northern 

Counties Cat Show at Manchester in 1902 

"THE SILVER LAMBKINS." 

By " RAHMAN " ex " BEAUTY."

i6o THE BOOK OF THE CAT. 

Mrs. Walker exhibited a really wonderful 

silver kitten. I say wonderful, for this 

youngster, bred from the owner's " Woodheys 

Fitzroy " and " Countess," was the most 

unshaded and unmarked specimen of a silver 

I have ever seen. This unique specimen will 

be watched with interest by silver fanciers. 

May his shadings ever grow less ! 

The average number of inmates of this 

cattery is about thirty, but at one period 

of Mrs. G. H. Walker's catty career the silver 

fever ran high, and there were sixty-three 

cats and kits within the precincts of the 

spacious and luxurious catteries of Woodhey? 

Grange. 

Mrs. Martin, of High Wycombe, who has 

often acted as judge, has been a most successful 

breeder of silvers, and the progeny by " St. 

Anthony," her noted sire, have distinguished 

themselves by winning over one hundred prizes. 

" St. Anthony " has retired into private life, 

but he will always be remembered if only by 

his two children " Silver Dove " and " Fascin- 

ation." Mrs. Martin says, " I am all in favour 

of the male being older than the queen in 

breeding silvers ; 

also select a good-coated stud 

cat, short in the legs. Eyes are a worry just 

now. Of course, I like green best, but if a 

cat is good in all points but colour of eye, this 

should not upset an award. I find that if a 

kitten is born almost self silver, it will develop 

into an indifferent silver tabby later ; but if 

the body is dark, and head and legs light and 

clear, you may hope for a very unmarked 

specimen in due time." 

Mrs. Wellbye's silver cats " Dossie," " Silver 

Lotus," and " Veronica " were at one time 

well-known winners, and for length of coat and 

beauty of eye have seldom been surpassed. 

Mrs. Wellbye is a most astute judge of silvers, 

and her remarks on this her favourite breed 

will be read with interest : 

" This handsome variety of the Persian 

ranks high in the estimation of cat lovers ; 

indeed, 

its ardent admirers consider it the 

creme dc la creme of the cat world. And why 

not 1 Surely there is nothing to compare 

with a lovely young chinchilla Persian in full 

coat. Its very daintiness and seeming pride 

in itself is quite charming. One is reminded 

of a pretty child dressed out in its party frock, 

for puss appears to know it is well dressed 

and desirous to show her charms to the 

best advantage. She dances, pirouettes, and 

throws herself into the most graceful and 

entrancing attitudes, until we feel in sympathy 

with the Egyptians of old and are willing to 

We 

fall down and worship our adorable pets. 

all love beauty, but to those who love cats 

there is something beyond even beauty, for 

only they who keep and care and treat them 

well know the comfort these little creatures are, 

and the happiness they can bestow by their 

sweet caressing ways, perhaps more especially 

to those whose hearts are starved of human 

love, but still to all whose sympathies are 

wide of the varieties of silver cats. I will first 

treat of the chinchilla. 

" The Crystal Palace show of 1895 or 1896 

was the first I remember with a class for 

chinchillas ; previous to that, I believe, they 

were not recognised as such, but were shown 

with the silver tabbies. Strictly speaking, the 

name chinchilla is a misnomer as applied to 

these cats. The soft grey coat of the little 

animal called the chinchilla, whose lovely 

fur is so much prized as an article of ladies' 

dress, differs diametrically from the cat so 

called. 

" The fur of the chinchilla is dark at the 

roots, and shades quite pale grey at the tips. 

The cat's fur, on the contrary, is absolutely 

pale grey, almost white at the roots, but 

tipped with black at the outer edges. 

" The points as laid down by the Silver 

Society 

are as follow : 

' 

Chinchillas should be 

as pale and unmarked silver as it is possible 

to breed them.' 

" 

The aim of the breeder of this variety, 

therefore, is to obtain a cat with none of the 

markings of the original stock (the silver tabby), 

the dark tippings to be slight and faint. 

" Breeders have found this ideal most dim- 

cult to obtain ; although some kittens are born 

pale all over, with no markings; in a few weeks 

or maybe months the hope of the family

ul 

CU t 

g 

ffl 

ffl 

O 

Pi 

a

is no more, for the lighter the kitten the more 

delicate. 

' Whom 


the gods love, die young.' 

Or, again, if the cherished one lives over its 

baby troubles, and starts on the change from 

its first, or kitten coat, to the second coat, too 

often do the markings appear, the shadings 

get darker, or fine black hairs are seen amongst 

the pale grey. Some of the best chinchilla 

kittens have been born quite dark, and with 

tiny stripes all over. At a month or six weeks 

these marks have disappeared, and later the 

coat has become an even silver. 

' 

The breeder must not even then build 

high hopes. Again change may occur. There 

is no cat which varies so much ; it is quite 

chameleon-like in this respect. 

" A few years ago the Cat Club adopted 

' 

the name of self silver ' 

as applied to the 

chinchilla another misnomer, as a self silver 

should have no tippings or shadings, and the 

silver cat has not been bred that had fur 

the same shade throughout from roots to tips. 

'The slight dark edging to the fur con- 

stitutes to most people the charm in these 

silvers. Sometimes it is almost imperceptible 

to the casual observer ; or when the cat is in 

11 

" JUI'ITER DUVALS." 

OWNED AND BRED BY Miss S. MEESON. 

(Photo : F. Parsons, Smithend-on-Sea.) 

full coat (the fur being from three to seven 

inches long on the tail sometimes as much 

as nine inches) the tiny neckings are lost in 

wavy, tossing, billowy coat. But let the 

coat become damp, however slightly, it will 

be seen that the dark edges are clearly in 

evidence. 

" As, however, breeders could not always 

produce the pale shade of silver, the litters, 

even with the most careful mating, being 

generally assorted in good, bad, and indifferent 

so far as colour was concerned, 

many fine cats dark silvers had no place 

assigned to them. 

" 

It was then suggested that a class should 

be given at the shows to be called 

' 

shaded 

silver,' the points according to the Silver 

as follows : 

Society being 

" ' 

Shaded silvers should be defined as pale, 

clear silver, shaded on face, legs, and back, 

but having as few tabby markings as possible/ 

" The dark or shaded silvers, it was under- 

stood, should have pale, clear undercoats ; 

but instead of the fleckings of the self silver 

(so called), the dark edges ran a considerable 

way into the fur. The shaded silver is a


THH ELDER MISS BLOSSOM. 

SILVER, OWNED BY Miss HORSMAN. 

handsome cat, but too often much marked on 

the face and barred on the legs, a defect most 

difficult to overcome. Many 

describe the shaded silver as a ' 

cat fanciers 

spoilt tabby.' 

" 

The third in the group of silvers is the 

silver tabby. The points are here stated : 

" ' 

The colour of a silver tabby should be 

a pale, clear silver, with distinct black mark- 

ings.' 

" This variety ought in equity to have been 

mentioned first, as it is the original stock, but 

it has been overshadowed by the superior 

attractions of the chinchilla. (Silver tabby 

enthusiasts will perhaps pardon this eulogy of 

my favourite breed.) There is not the slightest 

doubt this handsome cat, the silver tabby, 

has suffered materially from the craze for the 

newer variety, and consequently the type has 

not been kept pure. They have been mated 

over and over again with cats of less markings 

in the hope of breeding chinchillas, until at 

the present day there are very few silver 

tabbies true to type. 

" The position of the silver tabby in the 

feline scale is very peculiar. As a Persian it 

is, of course, necessary 

that its coat should be 

long and fine, whilst as a tabby it is desirable 

that the markings should show up to advan- 

tage. How to reconcile the two is the puzzle, 

for the longer the coat the less the markings 

are evident, as the stripes are merged in the 

flowing coat, so that we sometimes see at the 

cat shows exhibits woefully out of coat placed 

in the first rank, as the markings are much 

more distinct. It follows, then, in this variety 

of the silver, a long coat is distinctly a dis- 

advantage when competing at shows. 

" Having now obtained three types for 

silvers, and the Cat Club willing to give 

classes for them at the great shows held in 

St. Stephen's Hall, Westminster, the outcome 

was looked forward to with much interest. 

But it was one thing to get four types, and 

quite another matter to get 

silver breeders 

to understand the fine distinction ; conse- 

quently, the cats were entered in self silver, 

shaded silver, and silver tabby classes in- 

discriminately. The result was, of course, 

muddle and confusion, many exhibitors having 

the mortification of finding 

' 

Wrong 

Class ' 

on the cat pens. 

" At a recent show held at Westminster 

under the auspices of the Cat Club, the judge 

was asked by the Honorary Secretary to go 

round the classes first, and if any exhibit was 

wrongly placed to re-classify before judging. 

This worked satisfactorily so far as disqualification 

was concerned. 

" 

At this show, however, the judge was con- 

fronted with another difficulty, it being found 

that most of the cats in the classes for shaded 

silver had deviated materially from the stand- 

ard of points laid down by the Silver Society. 

Instead of the clear, pale undercoat, the fur 

was a dark grey right down to the skin. The 

majority of these cats were quite dark, and, 

rightly speaking, were not silvers that is, if 

one bears in mind the metal so named. It is 

difficult to say in what class they could be 

placed, unless a new class was created, to be 

called ' 

clouded or oxydised silver.' If we go 

on to these subdivisions we shall not know 

where to stop. Self silver or chinchilla, 

shaded silver, clouded silver, and silver tabby 

a truly appalling problem for the bewildered

judge to decide, for the majority of exhibitors 

would not appreciate the variations. 

" 

It may come to this eventually, but at 

the present time the threefold classification 

leads to much confusion, for as nearly or 

very nearly all silver cats are more or less 

tabby marked, so will exhibitors be in doubt 

as to the class to which their cats rightly 

belong. 

" It is a question if the introduction of the 

shaded class at shows has not done more harm 

than good, for as previously we saw very few 

of the dark silvers it not being worth breeding 

the variety when there was no class in which 

to show them so now the tendency of ex- 

hibits, as anyone who attends shows can see, 

is to run to darkness rather than light ; and 

breeding for colour, purity of colour, and absence 

of markings has received a set-back, for 

with some judges colour is nothing, and prizes 

will be showered upon a ' 

spoilt tabby ' 


if it 

happens to have, perhaps, a broader head or a 

bulkier body good points, as everyone will 

allow, but points which the common or garden 

cat may possess and we do ; 

not pit our dainty 

chinchillas against all and sundry. 

" Without wishing in any way to detract 

from the good qualities which the more plebeian 

branches of the cat tribe undoubtedly possess, 

it is impossible not to award the palm for 

grace and beauty to the highly bred aristocratic 

chinchilla. Coal and iron are useful, 

but we give our admiration to diamonds and 

pearls." 

Before closing the chapter on silvers, I will 

allude to the Cat Club show held at St. 

Stephen's Hall, Westminster Aquarium, in 

January, 1903. On this occasion there was 

quite a record entry in the male silver class, 

which contained twenty-one cats. The list 

was headed by Mr. J. F. Dewar's handsome 

"Father O'Flynn II." Many well-known 

prize winners had to be content with a V.H c. 

card in this class of quantity and quality. 

The females numbered eighteen, and here again 

a noted winner was awarded the highest 

honours. Miss 

Chamberlayne's "Cap and 

Bells " is very pale and pure in colour, and 

carries a soft, silky coat. In the silver kitten 

class the sexes were not divided, and Miss 

Ford's lovely kittens scored first and third. 

A sweeter face and rounder head than that 

possessed by " Silver Button," the first prize 

winner, would be difficult to find, and Miss 

Ford may be congratulated on having bred 

such a gem. Mr. T. B. Mason judged the silver 

classes at this show, and he doubtless experienced 

some difficulty in testing the colour of 

the exhibits in the bad light of St. Stephen's 

Hall, more especially as on the opening day of 

the show a dense fog hung over the city. 

Another difficulty which must present itself 

to our most capable judges is the awarding of 

specials 

offered for silvers and shaded silvers. 

Perhaps the easiest way out of this difficulty 

is to give the shaded silver prizes to the darkest 

cats ; but all are shaded, even the palest, and 

therefore some judges might justify them- 

selves if they awarded both sets of specials 

to the one cat. At this show Lady Marcus 

Beresford offered three special prizes in each 

silver cat class for the palest specimens, one 

of these in the male class being won by her own 

handsome "Beetle," a son of the famous 

; 

'Lord Southampton." The classification for 

silvers at the specialist societies' show at Bath, 

"DOLLY DAYDREAM." 

(Photo: E. Landor, Baling.)


which followed close after the Westminster 

show, was the largest that has ever been given, 

consisting of classes for novices and breeders, 

in addition to the ordinary division and sub- 

division for cats and kittens. The sensible plan 

of a ring class for neuters only was adopted. 

Members of the specialist society for the 

encouragement of silvers must on this occasion 

of the liberal classification and 

have felt proud 

of the long list of handsome special prizes 

offered for their favourite breed of long- 

haired cats. 

I WANT TO GO HOME. 


^ I AHERE can be no question that a really 

_L good silver tabby will carry off the 

palm even from the most exquisite 

unmarked silver cat, and in this assertion I 

feel I have the support of all our professional 

judges, for with the " mere man," it is well 

known, the pale silvers do not stand high 

in favour. Men call them " wishy-washy," 

insipid, and wanting in expression, and are 

generally displeased at this sport in the fancy 

that has spoiled the handsome silver tabbies 

of years gone by. 

No doubt there is just cause for complaint, 

for the inter-breeding of silvers with silver 

tabbies has undoubtedly done much to destroy 

the clear defined markings which in tabby 

cats is their chief glory. Now, of course, it 

is easily understood that these tabby markings 

in a long-haired cat cannot be so distinct as 

those that appear to such advantage in the 

" 

short-haired breeds. The better the coat 

the weaker the markings," may be said of 

Persian silver tabbies, and judges have been 

11* 

165 

"THE MARQUIS OF DINGLEY. 

SILVER TABBY, OWNED BY Miss ANDERSON LEAKE. 


CHAPTER XIII. 

SILVER TABBY PERSIANS. 

known to give the highest award to an out- 

of-coat specimen just because the markings are 

more evident than in a cat in full pelage. 

Harrison Weir states that " Tabby is not a 

" 

Persian colour," and goes on to say, Nor 

have I ever seen an imported cat of that 

colour." His definition of a silver tabby 

reads thus : 

" Markings : Jet-black lines, not 

too broad, scarcely so wide as the ground 

colour shown between, so as to give a light 

and brilliant effect. When the black lines are 

broader than the colour space, it is a defect, 

being then black marked with colour, instead 

of colour with black. The lines must be 

clear, sharp, and well-defined, in every way 

distinct, having no mixture of the ground 

colour. Head and legs marked regularly, 

the rings on the throat and chest being in no 

way blurred or broken, but clear, graceful, and 

continuous ; lips, cushions of feet, and the 

backs of hind legs, and the ear points, black." 

And here it will be interesting to give the 

discussion which took place and the list of


points drawn up at the inaugural meeting of 

the Silver Society in 1900, and which standard 

is still adhered to in the present Silver and 

Smoke Persian Cat Society : 

SILVER TABBIES. 

At the meeting of the Silver Society, discussion 

arose as to whether the markings on silver tabbies 

should be broad or narrow. Lady Marcus Beres- 

ford proposed that Miss Leake and Mrs. Herring 

should be asked to express an opinion, both being 

breeders of prize winners. Miss Leake said she 

thought there were two distinct types of cats, the 

one with broad markings, the other with narrow 

stripes, and that both were correct silver tabbies, 

the superior beauty of either being a matter of personal 

opinion. Mrs. Herring agreed, and said the 

markings should be a dense black. Miss Leake considered 

they should be black at the tips, but shading 

to light at the roots. Mr. Abbott objected to the 

word " dense," as black was black, and the word 

" " 

distinct was substituted. Finally the following 

was resolved : The colour of a silver tabby should 

be a pale clear silver, with distinct black mark- 

ings, any brown or cream tinge to be considered 

detrimental. The eyes should be orange or green : 

Head and expression 

Colour and markings 

Colour of eyes . . 

Coat and condition 

Shape 

Brush 

MISS LEAKE'S SUMMEK CATTKKY. 


Total 

25 

25 

5 

2O 

10 

IOO 

The adoption of the preceding descriptions and 

scale of points as a whole was carried unanimously. 

As regards the eyes of a silver tabby, Harrison 

Weir says " deep bright yellow." The Silver 

Society gives an option of " orange or green " ; 

but the mandate of present-day fashion and 

personal bias is in favour of green eyes for 

silver tabbies. From an artistic point of view, 

there is no doubt emerald green is a better 

contrast to silver than yellow or orange. 

The Rev. R. Maynard, whose name has for 

many years been connected with silver tabbies, 

recently complained in the papers 

of the 

tendency to breed green eyes in this variety. 

He writes : "In former days we never had

anything to do with a cat that had green eyes, 

and now that so much is being done to improve 

the feline race, why should we try to think 

the green eye right and even desirable ? " 

Another authority says : 

" 

The fiat has gone 

forth that silver tabbies are to have green 

eyes. Happily there still remains room for 

a difference of opinion on the subject, for the 

oldest and most perfect breeds of silver tabbies 

have always been distinguished by their deep 

hazel eyes." 

This 

outside 

vexed question of eyes, certainly 

the " self " classes, ought not to be 

one of such vast importance. As Louis Wain 

aptly writes when complaining of this undue 

proportion of points, " Everyone, judges and 

exhibitors alike, are bitten by the craze for 

the ' 

' 

correct coloured eyes.' 

SILVER TABBY PERSIANS. 167 

It is a fault 

tabbies, of long- 

or short-haired cats. In 

judging a class of tabbies, first and foremost 

in the judge's estimation must rank the markings, 

and in Persian tabbies coat must next 

be taken into consideration. I have always 

thought that judging long-haired tabby cats 

in a ring class would be specially welcomed 

both by judges and exhibitors, for it is when 

a good cat of this breed runs or walks the 

beauty of his markings can be seen and 

admired^ -Then the dark spine lines will 

show up to advantage, the side markings 

will stand out, and the bars on the legs and 

the rings round the neck may be clearly dis- 

cerned. I think it is not to be wondered at 

that fanciers who have bred tabby cats are 

not easily satisfied as regards selfs and silvers. 

A friend of mine declared, " I always miss the 

stripes which give a tabby cat such a sweetly 

expressive countenance." Yet in spite of the 

beauty of the silver tabby, there are very few 

fanciers of this variety, and to those wishing 

to take up Persians I could not recommend a 

more interesting field for speculative breeding. 

SILVER TABBY KITTENS OWNED BY H.H. THE PRINCESS VICTORIA OF SCHLESWIG-HOLSTEIN. 

(Photo 

: E. Landor, Baling.) 

that judges are prone to commit, and truly The number of good show specimens can be 

one point ought not to be allowed to outweigh counted on the fingers of one hand. Silver 

others, and it is just this 

balancing of merits Tabby classes at our shows are full of nondewith 

a mingling of common sense that makes script cats with shaded silver bodies and 

the good all-round judge, whether of self or markings only on legs and head.


When judging the silver tabbies at the 

Crystal Palace in 1902, I was greatly struck 

with the number of cats and kittens which 

ought really to have been marked " Wrong 

Class," for some of these were absolutely 

wanting in any definite marks at all ; some 

had faint grey pencilling on the head and legs, 

but not a sign of the dense mottling on the 

sides. It is, no doubt, disappointing to 

exhibitors to have their specimens labelled 

" Wrong Class," or for really lovely kittens 

to be passed over without even a card ; but 

it is only by thus treating exhibits so lacking 

in the essential point of the class for which 

they 

are entered that fanciers will learn 

to discern between the genuine article and 

what may be called a spurious one. These 

pretty nondescript silvers, which are neither 

one thing nor the other, should be disposed 

of as pets ; but to enter them at our shows 

in classes for tabbies is only throwing away 

money and risking the animals. No cat has 

come nearer to the perfect ideal of a silver 

tabby in our day than Lady Pink's " Shrover 

II.," now gathered to his fathers. He 

possessed the wonderfully clear silvery white 

ground with distinct dark markings, and was 

always the admired of all admirers at our 

leading shows. Lady Pink is not without 

some worthy 

" 

Shrover II.," 

descendants of her famous 

" 

and writes to me thus : I 

" BEAUTIFUL DUCHESS." 

OWNED BY MRS. G. H. WALKER. 

have a smoke male 

by 'Shrover II.,' 

and hope to show him at Westminster. 

'Shrover III.' is just like his father 'Shrover 

II.,' but I shall not exhibit him, as I am too 

afraid of losing him. I have suffered many losses after shows. 

' 

Shrover III.' is a fine, 

big fellow, even better marked than his father, 

with long silky, wavy coat, lovely eyes, and 

a perfect temper." 

Mrs. Herring has bred some fine silver tabbies, 

" 

notably Duchess Lestock," a sensational 

kitten at the Westminster show of 1900, when 

she was claimed at a high price by Mrs. G. H. 

Walker, of Woodheys Park. Mrs. Herring's 

" King Alfred " was the sire of " Shrover II.," 

and is quite " one of the best." Miss Anderson 

Leake is justly celebrated as a most enthusi- 

astic and successful breeder of silver tabbies, 

and is our greatest authority on this variety. 

As far back as 1887 " Topso of Dingley " was 

exhibited by Miss Leake at the Crystal Palace. 

This cat was said to be of Irish descent, but 

his ancestors were sunk in oblivion. Not so, 

however, his progeny, for the winnings of his 

son " Champion Felix," owned by Miss F. 

Moore, of Beckenham, are fresh in the minds 

of those who, like myself, can remember 

beautiful cats of bygone years. In 1889 

Miss Leake entered " Topso " and two toms 

in a class for " blue or silver tabbies, with or 

" " 

without white." Felix was also in this 

class, as a winner of the Challenge Cup. Miss 

A. Leake's " Abdul Zaphir " and the present 

representatives of the breed " Abdul Hamet " 

and " Marquis of Dingley " are house- 

hold names amongst silver tabby fanciers. 

Miss Derby Hyde has long been faithful 

to this breed, and " Thames Valley Silver 

King " and " King Alfred " have often 

had to fight it out together at our shows, 

sometimes one being favoured by the 

judge and sometimes the other carrying 

off the honours. Miss Cope has recently 

been bitten with the silver fever, and her 

tabby kittens are always to the fore. 

Her "Roiall Fluffball" took first and seven 

specials at Westminster in 1901, and her 

"Silver Tangle" is a well-known winner. 

Mr. Furze, another Midland fancier, is also

WINTER QUARTERS 


A']' DIXGI.KY HILL. 

(Photo: Cassell & Company, Limited.) 

making a speciality of silver tabbies, and the 

Hon. P. Wodehouse possesses a fine 

" 

tabby female in Silver Saint." 

silver 

Mrs. 

Slingsby owns " Don Pedro," a beautiful 

specimen, and Miss Meeson has bred some 

good silver tabbies as well as silvers. But 

the ranks need filling, and with the assist- 

ance of the society now in existence the 

classification at shows will become more 

liberal, and instead of silvers and browns being 

often placed together at our smaller shows, 

separate classes are guaranteed, 

for it is cer- 

tainly most unfair on judge and exhibitor to 

place these two very distinct breeds together. 

" Comparisons are odious," we are told, and 

certainly it is hard on the brownies for the 

more brilliant silvers to be placed side by side 

in competition. As regards the mating of 

silver tabbies, the essential point to try and 

breed for is markings, and it behoves the fancier 

to endeavour to find a sire with bold, dis- 

tinct tabby markings, and if it is desired to 

strengthen the colour, then a black is not at 

all a bad cross. There are two distinct kinds 

of tabbies the blotched and the pencilled 

varieties ; and it is a matter of choice which is 

considered the handsomest. But it does not do 

to mate these two varieties together. A wellknown 

authority on breeding silver tabbies 

writes thus in Fur and Feather: "A great 

deal has been said as to the disadvantage of 

crossing chinchillas with silver tabbies, but 

we think this applies more to the detriment 

of chinchillas than of tabbies. Provided the 

tabby, on one side, is of a very decided type, 

the chinchilla, having come originally from 

the same stock, may not prove 

Miss Cope's ' 

a bad cross. 

Silver Tangle,' for instance, 

one of the best-marked silver tabby queens, 

is the child of the chinchilla ' 

Silver Chieftain,' 

and of a queen bred from a silver tabby sire. 

A good young queen, belonging to Mr. Hoddinott, 

was bred from ' 

Lord 

' 

Argent and a 

tabby mother. 

' 

Champion 

' 

Felix was bred 

from ' 

Topso,' a heavily marked tabby, and 

' 

Lady Pink,' a cat that would nowadays have 

been called a light shaded silver with white

markings. 

' 

Climax ' 


came of the same 

parents, and both have broad dark markings, 

and transmitted them to their offspring. The 

union of two strongly marked silvers is not 

always a complete success. A brown tabby 

makes a most excellent cross, and some of the 

purest and best silvers we have seen have been 

obtained in this way. Of course, you must 

be prepared for a brown tabby kitten or two ; 

but you need not fear sandy smudges and 

yellow noses. The colour seems to be concentrated 

in one or two examples, and leaves 

the silver free. In short, in colour breeding 

we must be content with one or two perfect 

specimens in a litter, and, retaining them, try 

again for yet further perfection." 

'The cat fancy needs some new sensational 

cat to appear on its horizon, and if only a 

perfect silver tabby, male or female, could be 

penned at one of our leading shows a great 

impetus would be given to this variety, and 

a thoroughly good strain might be established. 

Then we should not read such remarks as 

" 

The 

these from the pen of the reporter : 

silver tabbies, we regret to say, were only a 

shade of days that are gone. There is room 

for an enterprising enthusiast in this breed. 

The beautiful clear silver colour with deep 

black markings seems to be quite a thing of 

the past. Who will revive them ? " 

And 

echo answers, " Who ? " 

From such an authority as Miss Anderson 

Leake the following article on silver tabbies 

will be of great interest, and the photos of 

her cattery at Dingley Hill, Bradfield, near 

Reading, have been specially 

taken to illus- 

trate these notes : 

" 

Possibly amongst the rarest of our longhaired 

cats may be classed the really wellmarked 

silver tabby. Twenty years ago he 

existed, and was, indeed, more commonly met 

with than to-day. For at that time chinchillas 

were practically unknown, save for a few 

scarce specimens, and the silver cats of that 

day were more commonly called 

' 

grey ' 

Persians, and were nearly always tabbies. 

But with the popularity of the pale chinchillas 

began the downfall of the heavily marked 

tabby. Instead of breeding for the preservation 

of markings, everyone worked their hard- 

est to breed out markings, -and real tabby 

kittens were almost unsaleable. Those that 

were produced were very frequently ventured, 

and sold at a low price for pets. The lightest 

specimens in a litter were preserved for breeding 

purposes, 

and rarer and rarer became the 

deeply marked silver tabby. But at last the 

tide has turned, and people are beginning to 

realise that there is a character, a beauty, 

and a contrast of colouring in a good tabby, 

which lend to them a charm all their own. 

Added to this, they are exceedingly rare and 

difficult to produce. 

" 

Competent judges agree that to breed 

regular, symmetrical, and well-coloured mark- 

ings is no easy task, for contrast is the grand 

point in a silver tabby. His ground coat 

from tip to tail should be pure pale white 

silver. On this light silver ground-work lie 

the most beautiful even dark mottlings, 

dark to the point of blackness. These mark- 

ings 

are most difficult to describe. A dark 

stripe runs the whole length of the spine. 

Then comes a light stripe on either side, then 

two more dark stripes, but these are broken 

just behind the shoulder by a transverse bar 

of light silver, and widen on the shoulder into 

considerable sized patches. The markings on 

the sides are not stripes, but patches, elliptical 

in shape, generally three in number, and 

partially encircled by dark stripes. The 

shoulder is particularly heavily barred and 

striped, as are also the hind quarters. The 

legs are barred throughout their length, the 

face should be dark, with dark tufts, and the 

back part of the hind legs from the knee 

downwards is black, as in a Southdown sheep. 

" The head is most beautifully pencilled, 

the cheeks possess double or treble swirls, the 

eyes are outlined by ; 

dark rims on 

the fore- 

head the lines form a complete triangle, 

which is repeated at the nape of the neck. 

The chest is encircled with a perfect dark ring, 

called the ' 

Lord Mayor's chain,' but this is 

concealed when the large light frill is in full 

beauty, as is also the neck triangle. The

g 

S 

D 

n 

H 

I 

o 

m 

X .= 

H =


MISS COPE'S " STARLET-, 

whiskers often contain all the different shades 

of colour found in the coat. The ear tufts 

should be long and light. The tail is generally 

ringed from trunk to tip, but this is not noticeable 

after kittenhood, owing to the great 

length of the hair. Also the hair to the root 

is much darker in colour on the tail than on 

the body. 

" The correct colour for the eyes of a silver 

tabby is neither green, orange, nor yellow, 

but hazel a deep nut-brown. This shade 

of eye is very difficult to obtain, and it 

fades with age ; but once seen, its beauty and 

suitability to the colouring of the cat will 

never be denied. Many of the most noted 

prize-winners have not possessed this coveted 

hazel eye. The nose is by preference dark, 

but this, so far, has not been considered as a 

point. 

" Not only evenness and regularity of 

markings go to the making of a good tabby, 

but sharpness and depth of colour in the dark 

parts, and clearness of colour in the light 

parts. A great deal has been said of late 

regarding the depth of the black markings ; 

but it is quite as necessary to insist on the 

purity of the silver tone. No suspicion of 

brown must be tolerated, neither any blue nor 

grey tone. 

"There is no question that, as a tabby, a 

long-haired cat is handicapped by his length 

of coat. There are some people who would 

rob him of his crowning glory in order that 

his beautiful striping may the better appear. 

But surely it were better for them to confine 

themselves to short-haired cats if they can- 

not appreciate the marvel of long-haired tabby 

markings. For marvellous they truly are, 

when we consider that the dark marks are 

only formed by tips to the hair of some quarter 

of an inch in length. When the coat is quite 

short these tips are massed together, and the 

blackness is, so to speak, concentrated. When 

the hair is at its full length of from two to 

four inches it can be readily understood that 

the long floating locks mix and mingle with 

the paler coat, and some distinctness of 

marking 

is lost. The massive frill and the 

long light shoulder tufts give the cat a very 

pale frontage ; and if he be placed in a show 

pen side by side with a cat whose coat is 

just coming, whose marks show up, in all 

probability he will take a second place. No 

stroking, blowing of the coat, or other device 

will show off a tabby cat. He must be made 

to get up and walk. Then the long coat falls 

apart, the spine lines reveal themselves, the 

side patches fall into place, and bars, stripes, 

swirls, and rings all are to be seen. Even 

then you will not see them all at once, but 

as he moves and turns one by one the points 

will show themselves. As a show cat, a 

tabby is not a success, for his period of perfect 

beauty is exceedingly short. When he proposes 

to moult he changes colour, and if you 

are unwise enough to exhibit him at this stage 

ominous whispers of 'Brown tabby 

will pass from mouth to mouth. 

blood' 

For a 

thorough good rusty brown shade, commend 

me to a moulting silver tabby. Then a little 

later he completely loses his side markings, 

and you must wait until the new coat makes 

its appearance before you can venture him 

in the show pen. In the first beauty of that 

new coat, when the hair is about an inch long, 

he is a dream of colour contrast, and somehow 

suggests such ineffable cleanliness ! 

" How to breed silver tabbies is a moot 

point. One thing is certain, that if we expect

whole litters of well-marked kittens we shall 

be grievously disappointed. Personally, we 

have had the best results from pairing two 

marked cats slightly related and of good silver 

pedigrees. A smoke of silver origin is another 

good cross, but the sire should always be a 

tabby. The blacker the kittens are at birth 

the better. There is no sign of light under- 

coat, but generally narrow pencillings 

of 

silver are to be seen, and face and paws are 

fairly light. The kittens which at birth show 

contrast of dark and light rarely turn out good 

tabbies. The markings, as a rule, become too 

faint. At a month old the light markings 

should widen and develop, and at three months 

old the full beauty will be seen. Before the 

change to cat coat, many of the kittens become 

more shaded than marked, and up to 

the sixth or eighth month there is always a 

possibility of their proving disappointing. 

however, after this age the markings return, 

harden, and develop, they will endure for 

ever, except during periods of moulting. In 

extreme old age both the purity of colouring 

and distinctness of markings are lost. Ex- 

posure to the sun considerably injures the 

colour of the silver tabby cats, giving 

them a brown tinge. We believe exhibitors 

of magpies never allow their birds to enjoy 

the rays of the sun for a similar reason, 

but it is a question whether it is not 

wiser to study the beneficial effects of a 

sun-bath on the health of our cats rather than 

the slight detriment to their coats caused 

by its enjoyment. I have said nothing about 

size and shape. The silver tabby should be 

a large cat, with good bones, and very heavily 

coated. The old-fashioned cats were very 

long, low on the legs, and a trifle narrow in 

head. Nowadays we have remedied this 

defect, and the modern cats are decidedly 

more cobby than their progenitors. The 

ears should be set wide apart, and be small 

and not too sharply pointed. 

SfLl'KR TABBY PERSIAA'S. 173 

If, 

If only fanciers 

will now devote themselves to the production 

of such cats as I have tried to describe, we 

shall soon see the silver tabby classes at our 

shows filled with typical animals, instead of, as 

is too often the case, with spoilt silvers, too 

heavily marked to be called chinchillas, too unevenly 

or lightly marked to be correct tabbies." 

I have mentioned Miss Cope as a breeder 

of silver tabbies. Her remarks on her favour- 

ite breed are as follows : 

" There is no doubt that until quite re- 

cently interest in this fascinating breed had, 

to a great extent, died out, owing to the 

craze for chinchilla breeding. But I hope 

their day-is-coming again. There is a marked 

shown in the silver 

improvement already 

tabby classes at the best shows. 

" 

Mr. St. George Mivart, in his celebrated 

book, asks, ' 

What is a cat ? 

' 

But even so 

simple a question as that appears from his 

statement to be more easily asked than 

answered. The same may be said of the 

I will 

question, ' 

What is a silver ? tabby ' 

endeavour to answer the question by giving 

my own idea of what may be considered to 

be a perfect type of a silver tabby. The 

A PAIR OF SILVER TABBIES. 



chief point of a silver tabby should be clear- 

ness and distinctness of markings ; the 

sharper they are the better. My ideal cat 

would have the two spine stripes clear and 

well denned from shoulder to base of tail, 

set off by the ' 

epaulet ' 

leg. 

behind each front 

On each side of the body should appear 

what may be called the horseshoe ; both sides 

should match exactly. The hind-quarters 

well barred. The fore-legs should also be 

barred, each in symmetrical correspondence 

with the other. The double cheek swirls, the 

markings on the forehead, which may be 

easily imagined to take the shape of a lyre, 

the shaded eyebrows and whiskers, and dark 

outlines to the eyes, all these give a character 

to the face not found except among tabbies. 

More or less conspicuous will be the dark 

lines across the chest, known as the ' 

Chain.' Occasionally 

MISS DERBY HYDE'S 

'THAMES VALLEY SILVER KING. 

some more 

Mayor's 

favoured 

animal is found to have two such lines. The 

beauty of all these markings is thrown up 

by the ground colour of the coat, which should 

be a clear bright silver. The whole effect, if 

one may so describe it, is like a piece 

(Photo: E. Lander, Eating.) 

of elabor- 

ately wrought black lace on lustrous silvery 

silk. The colour of the eyes is somewhat a 

vexed question. Some fanciers prefer green. 

Personally, I think nothing is more lovely than 

- and 

the hazel eye, enhanced by dark rims. Happily, 

latitude is allowed in this direction in 

the standard drawn up by the Silver Society, 

which decrees the colour shall be the green 

or orange. But with all these, my ideal 

silver tabby must have perfect shape of body, 

so far as it is possible to obtain it, as well as 

luxuriance of coat. The long, thin-bodied, 

cat is an abomin- 

snipy-headed, spindle-legged 

ation. The ideal cat must be cobby, with 

short, thick legs, the head broad and massive, 

ears small, well tufted and set wide apart, 

the nose short and wide at the tip, the tail 

short and wide at the extreme end I consider 

a pointed tail very undesirable. The 

coat of the ideal silver tabby should be long 

thick, and the texture as silky as possible. 

" 

Having described my ideal silver tabby, 

the next question is how to get it. When I 

succumbed to the fascination of the longhaired 

beauties some years ago, I resolved to 

breed only from the very best stock obtain- 

able, and I have unflinchingly adhered to 

this rule. I would like to impress upon any- 

one starting this delightful hobby that it is 

absolutely a waste of time and money to 

attempt breeding from any but the best. 

The observance of this principle will save 

many disappointments, much heart-burning,

and not a little money. Having made up 

one's mind which breed one admires most, 

it is far better to keep to that particular 

variety, and win success worth having, 

than to dabble in a variety of breeds with 

only a moderate amount of success. To a 

rigid observance of these principles I owe 

any honours in the show pen which have 

been awarded to me. It is of little use taking 

up the breeding of long-haired silver tabbies 

unless one is possessed of unlimited patience 

and perseverance. It is sometimes very dis- 

appointing to find the kitten one fondly hoped 

would prove a coming champion merging 

into a shaded silver exquisite in colour and 

as far as head, shape, and coat are concerned, 

but none the less not a silver tabby. Here 

comes in the study of pedigree. It by no 

means follows that the mating of two tabby 

parents will result in a litter of pure tabby 

kittens, unless both sire and dam are of pure 

silver tabby lineage. Hence purity of pedigree 

on both sides is of great importance. 

"If there is a trace of chinchilla blood in 

the ancestry it is certain to manifest' itself at 

odd times in the progeny. Nevertheless, do not 

despise your shaded silver, if it be a queen, 

providing all other points are perfect. As 

Miss Leake says and I quite agree with her 

' 

You no longer have a show specimen, but 

you have a cat that, crossed with a heavily 

marked cat, will probably provide you with 

splendid silver tabbies.' This, however, can 

scarcely be called the true science of breeding, 

as the progeny of two such cats may hark back 

to some of the original characteristics. 

" 

My own practice is to mate silver 

tabby with silver tabby invariably, and of 

the purest pedigree I can find. I should 

never breed from a sire that I knew possessed 

a brown tabby ancestry. I would far rather 

choose a good black sire, and in this way 

strengthen the markings. Of course, one 

would not expect a mating of this kind to 

produce a litter of champion silver tabbies ; 

but if I secured one well-marked kitten I 

should feel quite repaid. On the general 

question of breeding, Mr. C. A. House, who 


is no mean authority, and whose suggestions 

I have often followed with advantage, re- 

said : 

' 

cently If I were asked to pick out in a 

certain cattery a pair of silver tabby Persians 

which would be likely to make a good match, 

I should proceed on lines similar to the follow- 

ing : Shape and size with quality 

of coat 

I should expect the dam to possess. Marking, 

colour, length of coat, colour of eye, and 

strength of bone, I should demand in my 

sire. This is, of course, if I were selecting 

from cats whose ancestry was quite unknown 

to me. My reasons for so doing are because 

in nine times out of ten the sire influences 

the outward characteristics of the progeny, 

while in like ratio the dam exercises her 

influence over those points which are more 

hidden. The dam has far more to do with 

shape than is generally supposed, and I 

would rather breed from a bad-headed male 

than a bad-headed queen. Quality of coat 

must always be looked for in the queen.' 

" With regard to in-breeding I have no 

hard-and-fast rules to lay down. The whole 

matter, in spite of what one and another 

may say, is too experimental and speculative 

for anyone to dogmatise. The authority I 

have just quoted remarks on this matter : 

' 

It sometimes happens that a fancier puts 

together 

two animals which excel in some 

particular property, yet not one of their 

progeny is above the standard of mediocrity, 

so far as that property is concerned.' Ex- 

perience has shown me the importance of 

studying the weak points 

of the dam. These 

I try to remedy in selecting the stud cat. 

But with all my care I sometimes find 

' 

the 

best laid schemes . 

. . gang aft agley.' 

" 

For the successful keeping of cats and 

rearing of healthy kittens, my prescription 

begins and ends with two words liberty and 

fresh air. I have found cats can stand any 

amount of cold, providing, of course, they 

have never had artificial heat previously. 

Two things must be carefully guarded against 

damp and draught. These are fatal. Kittens 

so reared will be healthier, grow better 

coats, and will be much better able to stand

1 


the wear and tear of show life. My own cats 

live in wooden houses, raised at least one 

foot from the ground, the size at least seven 

five and a half feet. Each 

and a half feet by 

house is fitted with an inner wire door, as 

well as the outer wooden one. Along the 

entire length of the upper part of one side is 

a wire netting window, with a broad shelf 

fitted beneath. This opening has also a 

sliding shutter fitted with glass panels. I 

am thus able to give ventilation at will, or 

fasten them up securely in bad weather. In 

one corner of the house is a cosy sleeping 

box : in another corner an equally cosy 

chair. All cats love a chair. Cats kept out- 

side, when they are admitted to the house, 

invariably find out the most comfortable 

corner of the most comfortable chair. In 

such a house as I have described, kittens can 

be successfully reared ; there is ample room 

for them to scamper round should a wet 

day keep them in. Unless it is absolutely 

raining all my cats have the run of a large 

garden the whole day, and are only shut up 

at night. I never coddle my kittens, but 

try to bring them up as naturally as possible. 

" I am sometimes asked how it is my 

kittens attain such good proportions. The 

secret, if secret there be. lies in this I never 

allow my mother cats to nurse more than 

two kittens after the first week. If a foster 

cannot be found, I select the two I consider 

the most promising, and the lethal chamber 

claims the rest. Some may consider this 

foolish. I can only say I would far rather 

rear two thoroughly healthy kittens than 

five or six little puny things that will require 

weeks of care and attention, and then fail 

to reach the end in view. Baby silver tabbies, 

I must admit, are not altogether things of 

beauty and of joy. More often than not they 

are dark and uninteresting. The time to 

decide which is the best marked kitten is 

while the coat is comparatively short. When 

compelled to make a selection, I usually give 

the preference to the darker kittens. Ex- 

perience has taught me that the lighter kittens, 

so attractive in themselves, even at that 

early stage, and whose colouring 

is so ex- 

quisite at eight or nine weeks old, are apt to 

prove deceptive in the end, and often develop 

into shaded silvers." 

To Miss Cope's last statements I can add 

my testimony, but I will also mention a curious 

case coming under my direct 

garding my own silver stud cat. 

notice and re- 

" " 

Cambyses 

is by " Mowgli " (a noted pale silver of " Silver 

Lambkin " strain) and a handsome silver tabby 

unknown to fame, being a house pet. When 

I became possessed of " Cambyses," then five 

months old, he was a decided silver tabby, 

taking after his mother ; he has since shed all 

his markings, except faint grey pencillings on 

head and legs, and is one of the lightest silvers 

at stud. When mated to smokes and silvers 

I have not known or heard of any tabbies in 

the litters ; 

but on one occasion, when crossed 

with a silver tabby, he had some very densely 

marked tabbies. I have remarked that this 

beautiful breed of Persians has not been taken 

up by American fanciers in the same enthusiastic 

manner as have blues, orange, and 

especially silvers. In an account given by 

Field and Fancy of the Beresford Cat Club 

show in New York, January, 1903, I find 

mention made that over 125 long-haired cats 

were entered, and that in the silver classes 

alone there were thirty-five entries, almost as 

many as were entered in the whole long-haired 

section of the previous year. The smoke male 

class was cancelled, but eight females of this 

breed put in an appearance. No mention is 

made of silver tabbies. Amongst the winners 

of the challenge cups offered by the Atlantic 

Cat Club, a silver tabby called " Queenie," 

owned by Mrs. Wagner, carried off the trophy. 

Miss A. Leake, of silver tabby fame in the 

English fancy, has exported some of her stock, 

and no doubt our American cousins will not 

let this beautiful breed remain long neglected, 

but some enthusiastic fancier will establish a 

strain on the other side of the herring pond. 

At the Westminster Cat Club show of 1903, 

held about the same time as the Beresford 

New York show, the entries in the three classes 

provided for silver tabbies numbered twenty-


seven, which is an increase on previous years, who is the best-marked silver tabby that is 

but with two or three exceptions quality was now before the public. Miss Cope must 

lacking. No new names appeared in the 

logues, 

cata- be proud of having bred so fine a specimen 

and Miss Anderson Lecke and Miss by Miss Anderson Lecke's 

" 

Abdul Hamel 

Cope 

Roiall 

of Dingley," whose 

forms the heading of 

picture appropriately 

this chapter on silver 

carried off the highest honours. 

The winner in the female class was 

Fluffball," whose portrait appears below, and tabbies. 

12 

" ROIALL FLUKKBALL." 

THE PROPERTY OF Miss COPE. 

(Photo: E. S. Baker & Son, Hirminxh

1 

JO " AND " TINY " (SMOKES). 

(I'hoto: Cross, Brooklyn, N.Y.) 

I 7 8 

MKS. STEAD'S SMOKK LITTER BY " RAXJL" 

(Photo : Russell & Sons, Baker Street.) 

CHAPTER XIV. 

I T is only 

within recent 

years 

that smoke 

Persian cats 

have really 

come into notice 

at all, and 

even now these 

lovely cats may 

be said to be 

sadly neglected 

in the fancy. It 

was not till the 

year 1893 that 

they were consideredsuffici- 

ently popular 

to deserve a 

class to themselves. They were formerly 

relegated to the " any other colour " class, and 

often at smaller shows this is where we 

very 

find the smokes penned. A really good smoke 

is a thing of beauty, and it seems certain that 

as the fancy expands and the Silver and 

Smoke Cat Society looks after their interests, 

SMOKE PERSIANS. 

a good time will be in store for breeders of 

this handsome variety. 

Smokes may therefore be called a new 

breed, and it is a very distinctive one, made 

up, as it were, of the three self colours 

black, white, and blue. It is a shaded cat 

without markings, the fur being pure white 

underneath and gradually assuming almost a 

black tone on the outer coat. The face, 

paws, and back down to the tip of the tail 

are the darkest parts, shading to a dark grey 

down the sides and on the under part of the 

tail. A very great beauty in smokes is the 

light frill and ear tufts, which lend an air of 

much distinction to this breed. The great 

failings in many smokes is the appearance of 

tabby markings ; these especially mar the 

beauty of head and face, and take away from 

their value in the show pen. The tail should 

be quite free from any rims of light and dark, 

and should have the upper part an even dark 

colour, and underneath a cinder grey. Some 

smokes are so dense in the surface coat as to 

be really black cats with white under-coats, 

having none of the modulated grades of dark 

and light grey. These cats are often minus

the light ear tufts and ruff, and therefore 

cannot be regarded as correct smokes. Then, 

again, there are light smokes which might 

almost be called silver smokes very beautiful 

cats to look at, but far removed from the 

ideal smoke. 

Perhaps at some future time there may be 

a special classification for these cats, which 

are now without an abiding place at our 

shows. It is most important that the coat 

of a smoke should be long and of the true 

Persian flakiness, otherwise the chief beauty 

of the contrast between the light under-coat 

and dark outer-coat is not seen to full advan- 

tage. 

I think I may say without fear of contradiction 

that, of all long-haired breeds, 

smokes present the most altered and abso- 

lutely dishevelled appearance when out of 

coat. The glory of the light frill disappears, 

and multitudes of lines and streaks can be 

plainly discerned. Then a very rusty brown 

tinge appears on the back, and the rich, 

glossy black surface coat vanishes. I owned 

a lovely smoke cat once that at certain times 

of the year and, I may say, for most part 

of the year was nothing better than a bad 

black, his only claim to the title of smoke 

being the general appearance of a dark cat 

that had spent 

when 

his life in an ashpit. But 

" Pepper " was in full feather, he was 

a joy to behold. 

It is curious that when the kittens are 

first born they appear almost a dead black, 

with no trace of a white under-coat. This 

appears gradually as the kittens grow, and 

at three weeks old the lighter coat becomes 

visible. Their faces and paws should be 

intensely black when born, as the tendency 

in smokes is to get lighter and not darker. 

If a kitten is born with the appearance of 

a smoke it will generally turn into what 

I have termed a silver smoke later on. 

As with black kittens, so with smokes : they 

are often very rusty in appearance, but this 

will disappear with their kitten coat. This 

also applies to tabby markings, though, of 

course., if there is any tabby 

SMOKE PERSIANS. 179 

blood in the 

strain the markings may be retained. For this 

reason it is most undesirable to mate smokes 

with tabbies ; neither is it advisable to select 

a blue as a cross. The blue tinge destroys the 

purity of the white under-coat, which is one 

of the glories of a perfect smoke. It is a 

case of " like to like " in breeding smokes, and, 

failing this, choose a good black sire for your 

queen with amber eyes. This is especially 

advantageous if your queen should be light 

in colour and throw light kittens ; but if she 

is already too dark, mate with a chinchilla, 

avoiding, if possible, a green-eyed one. 

Above all things shun, as you would Sin, 

tabbies of any colour, and let your choice 

fall on a heavily coated sire. 

told by smoke fanciers that it 

I have been 

is much more 

difficult to breed a good smoke female than 

a male, and that the latter sex predominates 

in litters. 

I will here give the officially approved table 

showing the proportion 

be awarded for points 

of smokes. This is as 

drawn up by the Silver 

and Smoke Persian Cat, 

Society, which has Mrs. 

H. V. James, 

our principal 

breeder of 

smokes, 

as 

Honorary 

Secretary : 

of marks which should 

MISS BARTLETT'S TWO SMOKE KITTENS. 

(Photo-. 

E. Landor, Baling.)

i8o THE BOOK OF THE CAT. 

SMOKES. 

Smoke cats should be black, shading to smoke 

(grey), with as light an under-coat as possible ; light 

frill and ear tufts ; eyes to be orange. 

Value of points : 

Head and expression . . . . 20 

Colour of eye . . . . . . ..15 

Colour of under-coat . . . . . . 10 

Absence of markings . . . . . . 15 

Coat and condition . . . . 20 

Tail . . . . . . . . 10 

Shape . . . . . . . . 10 

Total .-. . . . . loo 

I think there are no fanciers or breeders of 

smokes who feel that any option should be 

given as to the colour of eyes in this breed, for, 

as in the black cats, the eyes should be amber 

or light golden. However, I must confess 

that brilliant green eyes are to be preferred 

to the pale yellow, which too often spoil the 

beauty of many of the smokes now exhibited. 

I should never place an indifferent smoke 

with orange eyes over a good specimen with 

eyes of emerald green. In the early days of 

the fancy, smokes were entered in the " any 

other variety " 

class, and were sometimes 

called Smoke Blues or Smoke Chinchillas. 

In 1891 

hibited a 

Miss 

fine 

Manley (now Mrs. Strick) ex- 

" 

smoke called Bayadere." 

Amongst the names of our oldest smoke 

breeders who still continue to breed I may 

mention Mrs. Cartwright, of Upwood. In 1895 

this lady showed smokes at Cruft's show bred 

from her "Timkins." The Upwood cats are 

very pure in colour, having the dense outer 

coat very white at the roots. At one time the 

Lindfield smokes held their own everywhere, 

Miss Molony winning first at the Crystal 

Palace in 1893 with " Lindfield Bogie." Mrs. 

Bluhm, better known as a silver breeder, also 

owned about this time a famous smoke female 

called " Smuttie." 

Mrs. Robert Little has for years combined 

the breeding of smokes with blacks. In 

" 

1897 Namouska," a smoke female, won 

first at the Crystal Palace, and her descendants 

continue their career as first-class smokes. 

In more recent times the following are noted 

winners : Lady 

Marcus Beresford's " Cossey," 

" 

Mrs. H. V. James's Backwell Jogram," 

Mrs. Sinkins' " Teufel," Mrs. Stead's " Ranji," 

Mrs. StillwelPs "Victoria," Miss Snell's 

" " 

Dusky Girl," Mrs. Collingwood's Minouche," 

" 

Rev. P. L. Cosway's Maritana," Mrs. 

Neild's "Silver Soot," Mrs. Hamilton's 

"Bulger," Miss Rose's "Judge." Perhaps 

the most consistent and successful breeder 

of smokes now in the fancy is Mrs. H. V. 

James, who started in 1893, and has been 

faithful to this breed ever since. I have 

had the pleasure 'of visiting Mrs. James's 

smoke cattery, and I felt that the lovely 

old-fashioned garden surrounding the Grange 

at Backwell was truly an ideal place for 

successfully rearing live stock of any kind, 

and all the pussies were pictures of robust 

health. I am glad to be able to insert the 

following 

valuable article on smoke Persians 

from the pen of Mrs. James, who is certainly 

our best authority on this breed. 

" Before entering upon the distinctive points 

of smokes, I will give a short account of my 

smoke cattery, and how I first took up this 

breed. It is curious to look back and see 

what mere chances govern our actions. I 

have all my life been devoted to Persian cats 

of one colour or another, but never intended 

to go in for any special breed. However, in 

1893 I purchased a blue kitten, which, on its 

arrival, appeared far 

who sold it offered, 

from well. The man 

if it died, to it. 

replace 

In a few days I was in a position to accept 

this offer, for the kitten succumbed, and 

another which was also supposed to be a 

blue was sent to replace it. As time went 

on this kitten darkened, and, much to my 

disgust, turned to a deep cinder colour. In 

1894 there was a grand West of England Cat 

Show held at Bristol, and, to please an old 

servant who had taken great care of the 

kitten, I entered ' 

Jubilee.' I was not much 

up in cat showing then, but 

' 

smoke ' 

seemed to answer the description of the 

kitten better than any other colour ; so into 

the smoke class he went, and, to my surprise, 

carried everything before him. This started

12* 

w 

C/J 

D 

O


my 

' 

career as an exhibitor. I showed Jubilee ' 

again at Graft's and Brighton the next year, 

where he again carried off firsts, and was 

described as the best smoke cat seen since 

the days of the famous ' 

Mildew.' 

" At the Palace in 1894, I bought a smoke 

female kitten from Miss Bray as a mate for 

'Jubilee.' This mating proved successful, 

and I had several grand litters of 

most of which, 

smokes, 

I am sorry to say, went to 

swell the ranks of neuter pets, being given 

as presents to my friends. In time I learnt 

wisdom, however, and kept my smokes myself. 

' 

career as a show cat was 

Jubilee's ' 

unfortunately cut short after his Brighton 

win in 1894. He escaped one night, and in 

a fight with another cat had his ears so torn 

that I was unable to exhibit him again. A 

year later, when I was away from home, he 

was let out one day, and never returned, 

having, I expect, been trapped in the woods. 

At that period my smokes nearly died out, 

as I had only one litter a few weeks old by 

' 

Jubilee.' Of the two smokes one was pro- 

mised, and the other I kept, and he is still 

alive as ' 

Champion Backwell Jogram.' So 

I think I may consider I have had my share 

of luck, though, like most breeders, I have 

MRS. A. M. STEAD'S SMOKE PERSIAN 

(Photo: 

E. N. Collins, S. Norwood.) 

" CH. RANJI.' 

had my bad times, and have lost sometimes 

as many as twelve cats and kittens in a few 

days from distemper, and once or twice a 

very promising female has strayed into the 

woods and been seen no more. I hope, how- 

ever, that for some years, at least, ' 

Jubilee's ' 

descendants will continue to flourish, as there 

are a number of ' 

Jogram's ' 

kittens scattered 

over England, and several have left these 

shores for America. 

" In mating my smoke queens I have several 

times tried a black sire, and have always been 

successful in getting good smokes from this 

cross. 'Jubilee II.' is an example, being by 

' 

Johnnie Fawe,' Dr. Roper's 

famous black 

Persian. I have only once years ago tried a 

blue cross, but the result was a mixed litter of 

blacks and blues. I have found that all the 

blue queens mated with 'Jogram' have had 

chiefly blacks. Smokes may be considered a 

very hardy breed, perhaps 

from the fact 

that there has been little in-breeding so far. 

'Jogram' 

lives in an unheated wooden house 

all the year round, and has never even had a 

cold. Kittens will also stand the same treat- 

ment. 

" And now I will endeavour to give my 

ideas as to the points which go to make up 

a perfect smoke. A good smoke is perhaps 

one of the most beautiful of the many beautiful 

breeds of long-haired cats, a bad smoke 

one of the plainest. The novice for whom 

this article is principally written may there- 

fore be glad to have a clear definition of a 

smoke to start with. 

" 

The definition drawn up by the Silver 

when it first started reads as follows : 

Society 

' A smoke cat must be black, shading to smoke 

(grey), with as light an under-coat as possible, 

and black points, light frill and ear tufts ; 

eyes to be orange.' But the word ' 

black,' 

having sometimes led novices to suppose that 

a black cat possessed of a white under-coat 

is a smoke, it would be perhaps safer to say 

' 

a smoke is a deep cinder-coloured cat shading 

to grey, with a white under-coat,' etc. In 

order to distinguish the difference between 

black and the true cinder-colour of the smoke,

it is an excellent plan to keep 


a sound 

black cat in a smoke cattery. 

" Smokes are, comparatively speaking, one 

.of the newer breeds of long-haired cats, and 

arose from the crossing of blues, blacks, and 

silvers, and appeared as a freak in litters of 

blues or silvers, and, being beautiful, were 

kept by their owners. No serious attempt, 

however, was made to breed them until 

quite recently. If beauty and a hardy constitution 

count for much, they should be 

more popular even than they are at present ; 

but no doubt the extreme difficulties of 

breeding a good, unmarked shaded cat deter 

many breeders from taking them up. With 

a whole-coloured cat it is 

fairly plain sailing 

when a strain, sound in shape and bone, has 

been established ; but with a shaded cat it 

is quite another matter. Litter after litter 

of kittens appear, grand in shape, strong in 

limbs, apparently perfect in shading. In a 

few months the kittens moult, and the shading 

becomes perhaps a hopeless jumble of light 

and dark. Where it should be dark it has 

turned light, and vice versa. Still worse, the 

shading disappears, and the markings the 

bugbear of all smoke breeders appear, show- 

ing traces of the far-away silver tabby an- 

cestors. These markings have perhaps been 

lying dormant for a generation, and appear 

as a reminder of the silver tabby origin of 

the smoke. 

" To all smoke breeders who wish to succeed 

' 

I would say, Never part with a well-shaped 

smoke until at least a year old, lest you find 

you have, in rejecting the apparently ugly 

duckling and keeping the gem, thrown away 

the substance for the shadow.' On the sub- 

ject of mating, 

there is much to be said. 

I am afraid many owners of smoke queens 

mate with any coloured cat which takes 

their fancy in the hopes of getting something 

in the litter besides smokes. 

" 

I have sometimes heard owners say, 

' 

Oh ! I mate my smoke queen with all sorts 

of colours. She always has one or two good 

smokes in each litter.' That mav be true, 

but if a smoke strain is to be built up, you 

" CHAMPION 

BACKWELL JOGKAM. 

are making a fatal mistake. The kitten thus 

bred goes to a new home and is expected to 

as herself. She is 

produce smokes as good 

mated with a smoke male, and when the 

litter arrives there are perhaps no smokes, 

she having thrown back to her sire, so as a 

breeder she is useless. Smoke to smoke must 

be the rule, except in special cases when, for 

instance, the queen is on the light side ; then 

a cross with a black may be found to be 

necessary. Or the queen may be too dark 

and given to breeding black kittens. Then 

the choice should fall on a silver as free as 

possible from silver tabby relations. On no 

account must a tabby of any colour be chosen 

or a sire with any white. A blue should also 

be avoided, as the under-coat is liable to take 

the blue shade and become blurred instead 

of white at the roots. 

" Orange eyes are much prized in smokes, 

and I believe, from my own experience in 

breeding smokes for the last ten years, that it 

is from the mothers that the kittens get their 

eye colour. If the queen has pale green eyes 

you may mate her with all the orange-eyed 

sires in the kingdom, and the eyes will still 

be pale. But if the queen has deep orange 

eyes, the kittens will inherit them also, even 

should the sire have only pale eyes. 

" Thanks to careful mating by some of our 

smoke breeders, smokes are not the flukes 

they once were, and a smoke queen, well


mated, may now be relied upon to produce 

whole litters of smoke kittens. As a rule, the 

kittens at birth are quite black, and remain 

so for a week or so ; and my experience has been 

that if a kitten shows any trace of grey at 

birth, it will grow up too light. There are, 

however, a few well-known queens who throw 

almost silver kittens, which remain so for 

weeks, and then shed this kitten coat for a 

darker one ; so no hard-and-fast rule can be 

laid down as to what a smoke kitten should 

look like when born. Try in - breeding for 

coat to avoid the sleek or woolly-coated 

smoke, and aim at getting a cat with a coat of 

the true Persian flakiness described by Mr. 

Harrison Weir in his book on Persian cats, 

otherwise the chief beauty -the light underand 

dark outer-coat is not seen to advantage 

as the cat moves. One point to be remem- 

bered in this breed is that the new coat growing 

is dark just at the roots. These marks, 

when the smoke is changing coat, have often 

been mistaken for tabby markings, so for 

this reason it is most unwise ever to show a 

smoke when out of coat. Wait until your 

cat is in full coat before accusing it of having 

tabby markings. 

" There is a fashion in smokes, as in every- 

thing else ; and at present in England the 

very dark smokes -are the rage, .but in America 

the light ones are more sought after. That 

grand cat 

' 

Watership Caesar,' who was considered 

too light for English taste, was last 

year bought by the late Mrs. Thurston and 

taken to America, where he carried off all the 

smoke honours, also taking the prize for the 

best cat in the show. The same happened to 

Lady Marcus Beresford's 

' 

Cossey,' a lovely 

cat of the lighter type. The tide may turn, 

however, even in England, where the 

slightly lighter smokes may share the honours 

with their darker brothers. It is better, 

however, to be on the safe side and breed for 

the darker smoke, as the lighter are apt to 

lose the smoke characteristics and overstep 

the line which divides them from a shaded 

silver." 

Mrs. Sinkins, to whom I have alluded as a 

smoke breeder, owns a splendid stud cat called 

" Teufel " that has made a name for himself 

as a first prize winner. This cat is as nearly 

a perfect specimen as it is possible to find. 

Mrs. Sinkins has written a few notes on 

smokes. 

" I must consider myself honoured in being 

asked to write about smoke Persians in 'The 

Book of the Cat,' as I am, comparatively 

speaking, a beginner in the cat fancy, only 

having kept Persians for three years or so. 

I began by buying a well-bred queen in kitten, 

and she presented me with two chinchillas 

and a perfect smoke female, which I named 

' 

Teufella,' and showed at Westminster in 

1899. She carried all before her, winning 

everything in her class, and was claimed at 

once at catalogue price. From a silver half- 

sister of hers I then bred ' 

Teufel,' whose 

picture is in this issue, and who is a great 

pet, being extremely sweet-tempered and 

affectionate. His chief characteristics are his 

absolutely unmarked black face and the lovely 

white under-coat, so desirable in a perfect 

smoke, and for which he received a special this 

spring (1902) at Westminster. I hope some 

of his descendants will take after him in 

these respects and make smokes increasingly 

popular. 

" 

In my opinion, it is a fatal mistake to 

mate smokes with blues, as they then lose 

this white under-coat. I think one obtains it 

best by mating a smoke-bred smoke cat with 

either a silver-bred smoke or else with a silver 

cat, as unmarked as possible, who possesses a 

smoke ancestor. Some day I should like to 

try mating a black with a pale silver, just as 

an experiment. 

" As to eye colour, there can be no two 

opinions. The deeper the orange, the better. 

" I do not find smokes at all delicate, no 

more so than the common or garden cat. All 

my queens have entire freedom, one in particular 

being a first-rate ratter and mouser, 

even catching moles sometimes. And they 

live out of doors in unheated houses all the 

year round, even in the most severe winter. 

" It seems hard that all Persians should have

to pass through 

' 

an ugly ' 


period luckily a 

short one when they change their coats, 

looking ragged and certainly not their best. 

Smokes and blacks then show the brown tinge 

even worse than chinchillas, as it gives them 

the - 

poverty stricken appearance of rusty 

Teufel ' 

moulting though I must say ' 

has 

so far been the exception, taking all honours 

at one show when in full moult. 

" However, their good time fully corn- 

pensates for the shabby period, and a typical 

smoke, with his large orange eyes set in his 

black face, with light ear tufts and frill, his 

white under-coat showing with every movement, 

is a thing of beauty hard to beat, and 

I feel sure the smoke variety has a great 

future before it." 

Mrs. Stead, the owner of 

MRS. SIXKINS' SMOKE PERSIAN '' TEUFEL." 

" Champion 

Ranji " and " Rhoda," a winning smoke 

female, has kindly given me her opinion on 

smokes : 

" My ideal of perfect smoke cats is that 

they should be black, shading to smoke grey, 

with as light an under-coat as possible, light 

frill and ear tufts, eyes orange. This is the 

standard up to which I try to breed. I find 

the kittens go through several stages before 

they approach this perfection. For instance, 

a kitten I had in the spring of 1902 lightened 

considerably, and developed markings on the 

face, but at eight months old he was nearly 

up to the standard. A litter of six I have 

recently bred were entirely unmarked at 

birth, being, in fact, quite black. Five are 

now medium-coloured smokes, and one a very 

dark one, with beautiful light under-coat. I 

strongly advise all breeders not to despair of 

colouring until their kittens are fully grown. 

Permanent markings are, of course, very 

detrimental, and there is always great anxiety 

as to the final colour of the eyes. If, however, 

both parents are good in this respect, the 

result is generally satisfactory." 

The following article on smoke cats in 

America is taken from Field and Fancy of 

October, 1902 : 

" Smokes, with us, will probably rank with 

the silvers, and are destined to always hold a 

measure of popularity, though we have not 

such a very strong lot ; in fact, we may say

1 86 THE BOOK OF THE CAT, 

that good smokes are never so numerous anywhere 

as to become a nuisance, and we may 

fairly congratulate ourselves at this stage of 

the game upon what we have had and bred. 

" Opinions differ as to what is a smoke, and 

at times we have to be rather lenient in the 

judging of these cats, for they are apt to be 

off colour too light or too streaky. No one 

has yet, in America, taken up 

the colour 

solely to breed smokes and nothing else, 

which seems a pity, for they can be bred and 

kept with blacks, and each sets off the other, 

and when visitors come to the cattery the 

contrast is made more apparent. 

" 

Those not conversant with the colour are 

is a smoke 

apt to think anything smoky 

exhibition cat, and no doubt, when good, 

those cats with dark faces and paws and light 

bodies are very handsome, but more often 

than not they are streaky and are smoke 

tabbies. After mature consideration and 

after seeing a good many, we, as well as other 

breeders, 

down ' 

still think that unless the ' 

South- 

cats, as some have called them, are 

very good we had better stick to the old 

definition of a smoke, and demand them dark 

enough. 

" A really dark, rich smoke without marks 

is, without doubt, one of the richest in colouring 

of all our long-hairs, and the stars are 

few. One may go away from the original 

definition of a smoke, but when brought face 

to face with a good one it forces one to confess 

that this is the genuine article, and, when 

in grand condition, a thing of beauty and a 

joy 

" I.UCY CLAIRK." 

for ever." 

OWNED BY MRS. CLINTON LOCKE.

09 

z < ^ 

w 5 

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O fe; 

2 s 

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8 

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2

IN the short-haired varieties, these cats 

are sometimes called red tabbies ; but 

I do not think the term gives such a 

true idea of the correct tone of colour, which 

should be just that of a ripe orange when in 

perfection. As I write I have in my mind's 

eye the mass of bright colour presented by a 

pile of oranges in a greengrocer's shop, and 

this is the tone that is to be desired in our 

cats. There is a dash of red in the 

orange 

ideal orange cat, suggestive, perhaps, of the 

blood-oranges with which at Christmastide we 

are familiar. Anyhow, an orange cat should 

be as far removed as possible both from sandy 

or yellow or, as I have heard them called, 

lemon-coloured cats. 

I have left out the term " tabby " from the 

heading of this chapter, and I think advisedly ; 

for in the Persian varieties the markings are 

gradually but surely vanishing, and orange 

cats may be said to stand in the same relation 

to orange tabbies as shaded silvers do to silver 

tabbies. I mean that most of the orange 

i8 7 

MRS. SINGLETON'S " ORANGE GIRL. 

(Photo : J. G. Christopher, Crcwkerne.) 

CHAPTER XV. 

ORANGE PERSIANS. 

Persians now exhibited have shaded bodies, 

with tabby marking on head, face, and paws. 

The body markings, never very strong in 

Persian tabbies, are even less distinct in the 

orange than in the silver varieties. It may 

therefore be said that in judging this breed 

as they are represented in the show pen to- 

day, colour is taken into consideration first, 

and tabby markings are of less account. As 

regards other distinctive features of this breed, 

I may say that it is the exception, and not the 

rule, to find good round heads and short noses. 

The longest faces I have ever seen in any 

felines have been those possessed by orange 

Persian and short-haired cats. I have really 

sometimes felt quite sorry for a magnificent 

puss of this colour whose nose was so selfassertive 

that every other point, however 

excellent, seemed to be lost sight of, and that 

nose with the accentuated terminus stood out 

with distressing prominence. Until the year 

1894 the classification at the Crystal Palace 

was " brown or red tabby, with or without

iSS THE BOOK OF THE CAT. 

white," and the descriptions given in the 

catalogue by some owners on entering their 

cats read " brown and red," " red-marked 

tabby," " " 

spotted red tabby," sandy Persian." 

In 1895 orange and cream cats were placed 

together in one class. 

A specialist society for orange, cream, fawn, 

and tortoiseshell cats was founded in 1900, 

and although the number of members is small, 

of staunch 

yet they have proved a strong body 

supporters of these breeds, and a really 

astonishing amount of good work has been 

done by these few enthusiasts. The classifica- 

tion at the large shows has been greatly 

supplemented, and, whereas before the formation 

of the society the sexes were never 

separated, now this energetic little club asks 

for, obtains, and often guarantees extra 

classes. The result, therefore, to breeders of 

orange and cream cats is much more satis- 

factory, 

and males and females have their 

respective classes ; and right well have they 

been filled. It was in 1900 that classes for 

creams were introduced at shows. At the 

Richmond show in 1902 there were thirteen 

entries in male and thirteen in female orange 

and c r e a m 

classes, the 

11 

sexes, but not 

PUCK," SON OF MKS. VIDAL's " BLLWAYDA.' 

THE PROPERTY OF MRS. MOXON. 

(Plwto: E. D. Percival, Ilfracombe.) 

Photo] lal. 

" SWAGGEK." 

BRED BY MRS. VIDAL. 

the colours, being divided. This was really a 

splendid testimony to the efforts of a specialist 

society of less than two years' standing. It 

is such a short time ago that orange, cream, 

and tortoiseshell cats were relegated to the 

" any other colour " class, even at our largest 

shows ; now it is often remarked by reporters 

in the cat papers that the well-filled cream and 

orange classes 

the show. 

were the chief attractions of 

I will here give a copy of the circular issued 

by the honorary secretary inviting members 

!to join, and the points for orange cats, as 

drawn up by the specialist society, which were 

decided upon at the inaugural meeting : 

ORANGE, CREAM, FAWN, AND TORTOISE- 

SHELL SOCIETY. 

LONG AND SHORT HAIRED. 

As societies have been lately formed to promote the 

interests of one or more colours in the cat world, it 

has been thought by a few fanciers of orange, cream, 

fawn, and tortoiseshell cats that there is an opening 

for a society for the purpose of encouraging the breed- 

ing of these colours. The objects of such a society 

would be : 

(i) To secure better classification for these varieties 

at the different shows. 

(2} To encourage fanciers to breed and show these 

colours by offering special prizes, etc. 

(3) To improve the type of cat bred. 

(4) To secure recognition for all shades of orange,

and, inasmuch as many fanciers 

disagree as to the merits of the different tints for 

eyes, to encourage the breeding and showing of 

specimens with green, orange, hazel, and blue eyes. 

Miss Mildred Beal, Romaklkirk Rectory, Darling- 

cream, and fawn ; 

ton, has undertaken to act as hon. sec. to the society, 

and will be glad to hear from any fanciers who may 

wish to support it. 

November, 1900. 

ORANGE SELF OR TABBY POINTS. 

Colour and marking. Colour to be as bright as 

possible, and either self or markings to be as distinct 

is can be got. 25. 

Coat. To be silky, very long, 

and fluffy. 25. 

Size and Shape. To be large, 

not coarse, but massive, with 

plenty of bone and substance ; 

short legs. 20. 

Head. To be round and broad, 

with short nose, ears small and 

well opened. 15. 

Eyes. To be large and full, 

and bright orange or hazel. 5. 

Condition. 10. 

It will be noticed that the 

heading of these points is 

"orange self or tabby"; but, 

as I have pointed out, the 

cats exhibited as orange Per- 

sians are neither self-coloured 

nor can they be called tabby. 

So it remains to be seen 

which type of cat will in due 

course be the established one. 

I incline towards a self-coloured orange in 

the Persian breeds, and a very handsome cat 

this would be of just one tone of bright even 

colour, perhaps slightly lighter on the flanks 

and stomach, under the tail, and with a frill 

of paler tone. In fact, very much the type of 

a smoke cat, in two shades of brilliant orange. 

At the same time, if real orange tabbies can be 

bred with the distinct body markings these 

should be encouraged. 

At the Cat Club shows it has been custom- 

ary to give the classification for orange cats 

marked or unmarked, so that then the judge 

may not have to take tabby markings into 

consideration, but give his awards according 

ORANGE PERSIANS. 189 

' 

BENJAMIN OF THK DURHAMS 

THE PROPERTY OF MRS. D'ARCY HILDYARD. 

(Photo: Burgess, Market Lavington.) 

to colour and other points of excellence. It is 

the same when a class is given for sable or 

brown tabby, silver or shaded silver. In such 

classes it would be unfair to consider either 

in the one or the amount 

the tabby markings 

of shadings in the other. Of course, it is 

possible that in time orange cats may be bred 

to such perfection that two distinct classes 

" " 

will be given, namely orange (selfs) and 

" 

orange tabby." In former years blues 

(selfs) and. blue tabbies were included in one 

class, but gradually blue 

tabbies have been disappear- 

ing from our midst. If, 

therefore, orange tabbies I 

mean, of course, long-haired 

cats should likewise become 

extinct, our browns 

and silvers would be the sole 

representatives of tabbies in 

the long-haired varieties. 

As regards the eyes in 

orange Persians, the standard 

given in the foregoing 

list of the specialist society 

is "bright orange or hazel." 

I should prefer the terms 

" golden bronze or hazel," 

as there is a special shade of 

gold with a dash of bronze 

or brown which seems to 

tone best with the bright 

coats of these cats. Cer- 

tainly the pale yellow or greenish-yellow eye 

is not desirable better a bright green eye. I 

often wonder if ever fanciers will be fortunate 

enough to breed an orange Persian with bright 

blue eyes, such as are seen in whites and 

Siamese. I have heard of a short-haired 

orange cat with blue eyes, and sometimes I 

have been told by a fancier of the Persian 

tribe that they had bred an orange, and its 

eyes had not turned from the deep kitten blue 

at four months, so they were fondly hoping 

but 

they were going to astonish the cat world ; 

their hopes were dashed to the ground, for 

surely and sadly a change came o'er the colour 

of that cat's eyes, and it was a case of the

igo THE BOOK OF THE CAT. 

blue that failed ! I once noticed an advertisement 

in one of our cat papers which announced, 

" 

For sale, a unique orange Persian male with 

perfect deep blue eyes " but I also remarked 

; 

Orange cats make a splendid 

foil for other 

varieties. This is especially the case as 

regards blues and blacks ; the contrast in 

colour enhances the beauty of each. I know 

that the age of this unique specimen was not one lady who, having an eye to the artistic, 

given, and 'I did not think it was worth while 

to write and inquire. 

The texture of coat in this breed ought to be 

particularly soft and silky, and is often of great 

length and thickness. The kittens when born 

are usually dull in colour, and gradually 

older. As is well known 

brighten as they grow 

to cat fanciers, orange females are rarer than 

orange males, so their market value is higher. 

There is, therefore, always a flutter of excitement 

on the arrival of a litter, and too often 

fate has decreed that all are males ! 

" TORRINGTON SUNNYSIDES." 

THE PROPERTY OF MRS. G. W. VIDAL. 

(Photo: G. W. Vidal.) 

keeps a blue and an orange neuter, and a lovely 

pair they make. I think the largest cat I ever 

saw was an orange neuter that simply filled 

the show pen with a mass of bright colour but 

he had a white shirt front and white gloves ! 

As regards mating orange cats, they make 

a good cross with blacks and tortoiseshells ; 

and 

if a brown tabby lacks the admired tawny or 

golden tint, then an orange may assist to 

brighten and improve the general tone, and do 

away, perchance, 

with that drabbiness which 

is so undesirable in a brown tabbv.

I do not think orange cats have ever been 

and I have remarked at shows 

very popular, 

that a certain number of people refuse to give 

anything but a passing contemptuous glance 

at the classes which contain what they call 

" those yellow cats." 

A very common defect among orange Persian 

cats is the white or very light chin. Some- 

times there is the still more damaging blemish of 

a white spot on the throat, spreading, perhaps, 

further down the chest. It is very rare to find 

an orange that has really a dark under-lip, and 

chin level in tone with the body colour. The 

white lip is a bugbear to breeders and exhi- 

bitors, for Nature repeats itself, and judges 

make notes of the defect ; and in these up-todate 

catty days of specialist clubs and standards 

of points a cat full of quality failing in one 

particular is too often a white elephant, if 

desired for anything more than a pet. I have 

observed that orange cats will sometimes 

develop a light or nearly white chin in their 

old age. I never consider a white spot or tuft 

of white hairs such a blemish to a cat if these 

are on the stomach, as compared with the same 

defect on the throat. Such a spot would not 

be so likely to be handed down to successive 

generations ; and, of course, a blemish that 

has to be sought for in an obscure part of the 

body is not such an eyesore in a self or tabby 

cat. I have often observed orange cats with 

very light hair underneath which has almost 

approached white ; but such defects are sometimes 

only temporary, whereas a white spot on 

the throat or a white chin remains once and 

for ever. 

In the early days of the fancy, orange cats 

were decidedly more tabby marked than they 

are in the present day. A noted one of this 

type was " 

Cyrus the Elamite," born in 1889, 

and bred by Mrs. Kinchant, an enthusiastic 

fancier at that and later periods. In 1893 and 

1894 Mr. Heap exhibited a handsome orange, 

" Prince Charlie," at the Crystal Palace. He 

also owned another, called " Prince Lyne," of 

the same breed, the celebrated tortoiseshell 

" 

Queen Elizabeth " being the mother of both 

these 

" " 

cats. Puff was exhibited by Mrs. 


Spackman in 1894 ; this orange cat was not 

much marked, and " Lifeguard " was bred 

from him. It was about this date that unmarked 

orange Persians became more fashion- 

able. Among females, " Lifeguard's " sister, 

" Goldylocks," owned by Mrs. Marriott, was 

one of the very best queens ever shown. Mrs. 

Foote, who is still well known in the fancy, 

had several beautiful orange females, notably 

"Marigold," "Buttercup," and "Cowslip." 

With these-cats Mrs. Foote tried to breed unmarked 

creams and oranges, " Ripon," a noted 

cream, being the sire. She built up several 

storeys of her catty castle, but then sold them 

" 

to Lady Marcus Beresford. Trilby," litter 

sister to " Zoroaster," a famous cream, was 

one of the brightest and deepest coloured 

orange females or, indeed, orange cats that 

has ever been seen. 

Coming down to the present day, I may remark 

that the number of orange cats placed at 

stud is very limited. A great loss to the ranks 

of male orange Persians was " Lifeguard," formerly 

the property of Lady Marcus Beresford. 

This cat was almost unmarked, of a beautiful 

bright shade, and had an unusually round head 

and short face, with Ion? silky coat. He was 

" LIFKGUAKn." 

FORMERLY THE PROPERTY OF LADY MARCUS BERESFORD. 

-. (Photo 

E. Landor, Ealing.)


purchased by Miss Cartmell, who is well known 

as an enthusiastic breeder of orange Persians, 

but who never exhibits. This lady has been 

very successful in breeding numerous fine 

female orange cats, and many a winner has 

been born to blush unseen in the Barham 

Cattery, near Canterbury. 

Another noted winner and stud cat is 

"Torrington Sunnysides," of whom a portrait 

is given. This cat is the property of Mrs. 

Vidal, and sent out to Mr. Storey in Chicago. A 

son of " Torrington Sunnysides " has also found 

" 

a home in a Chicago cattery. Red " 

Knight 

was sent by the writer to Mrs. Colburn, 

and in an article in the American Field and 

Fancy mention is thus made of him : 

" ' 

Red 

Knight,' an orange male, with deepest orange 

eyes, was imported from England. He is a 

very good type, and has sired some beautiful 

kittens, notably two ' 

by Miss Adams' Daffodil,' 

ONE OF MRS. NEATE S OUT-DOOR CATTERIES AT WEKNHAM. 

G. H. Vidal, and has done a lot of winning. 

His colour is exceptionally good, and he has 

sired several prize kittens, some of which have 

been sent out to America and gained distinc- 

" 

tion over the water. Torrington Sunnysides 

" has a most luxurious house in the 

spacious garden surrounding Mrs. Vidal's 

residence at Sydenham. The photograph is by 

Mr. G. W. Vidal, who dislikes taking orange cats, 

because the tone is so difficult to reproduce 

in photography, Mrs. Davies, of Caterham, 

has owned some good orange cats. Her male 

" Hamish " was a grand specimen, but was 

only twice exhibited, when he gained highest 

honours. He was then purchased by Mrs. 

very fine specimens of pure orange, with cobby 

bodies, wide heads, tiny ears set far apart, 

and beautiful coats. They have been fed on 

1 

Force," and Miss Adams is going to call the 

male 

' 

Sunny Jim.' Another son, seven 

months old, of the same parentage, is the largest 

cat ever seen for his age, and if he continues 

growing will certainly be enormous." 

One of Mrs. Vidal's orange kittens, " Puck " 

by name, is now owned by Mrs. Moxon, of 

Ilfracombe, from whom I have obtained a 

photograph for reproduction. 

A few notes on orange Persian cats by Mrs, 

Vidal will be interesting to my readers : 

" 

It is difficult to imagine a more gorgeous

colour than a really good orange lying full 

length in the sun. There is, however, rather 

a prejudice against them, chiefly because some 

' 

them sandy ' 

or ' 

people persist in calling red,' 

both of which names are quite misleading. 

I 

have several times had people say to me when 

visiting my cattery, ' 

I have always thought 

I did not like sandy cats, but I have never 

before seen a cat of such a lovely colour as the 

one you have just shown me.' Six years ago, 

when I first took up cat rearing, it was rare to 

see any orange cats at the shows, but now they 

and the creams form one of the most beautiful 

classes, and they have a specialist society of 

their own and an energetic secretary in Miss 

Mildred Beal. 

" There are two classes of oranges, one which 

has the ordinary tabby markings, more or 

less distinct, and the other which is ' 

necked ' 

all over the back in small patches, and which 

is usually not nearly so bright in colour as the 

so-called ' 

tabby ' 

markings. The correct thing 

is to breed a totally unmarked orange ; and, 

although many people claim this for their pets, 

13 


CURIOSITY. 

it is very rarely seen. The absence of markings 

usually means absence of the rich orange colour 

so much admired. Any white on chin or bib 

is, of 

show 

course, a 

purposes 

blemish, 

such an 

and for 

animal 

breeding or 

is perfectly 

useless. 

" 

An orange stud cat is a very useful animal 


to have in a cattery, for crossing with him will 

improve many colours, viz. tortoiseshell, brown, 

grey, and sable tabbies ; while if he is mated 

to a blue_ queen the kittens, if orange, are 

beautiful in colour brighter, I think, than if 

two orange cats are mated together.. In 

mating with other colours it is a toss-up what 

colour will predominate, but the only way 

to ensure all orange kittens is to mate with 

orange queens, when, according to my experience 

with my stud cat (' Torrington Sunnysides 

'), the results are all orange. Mated with 

tortoiseshells the orange kittens are very good ; 

but mated with blacks the strongest colour 

carries the day, and the kittens are mostly 

black or tortoiseshell, seldom orange. Silvers, 

chinchillas, and smokes should, of course, 

never be mated with oranges, as the result 

would be. a horrible mixture ! 

Orange queens 

were at one time very rare, and even now

194 

are not plentiful, being 

delicate and difficult to 

rear. 

"The time at which the 

kittens change the colour 

of their eyes from the 

baby blue to orange varies 

a great deal in individual 

animals, from seven to 

twelve weeks. When the 

eyes are very deep blue, 

they change to bright rich 

orange or hazel ; but if of 

a pale blue, they change 


very quickly to a poor 

yellow, and never get the 

rich dark orange which 

the deeper blue get. Therefore rejoice when 

you see your kittens with deep blue eyes. 

Some of our kittens have had the most lovely 

deep blue eyes, and great has been our sorrow 

as we found the inevitable change coming on. 

If I could only manage to get some kittens with 

the permanent blue eyes that the best white 

cats have, I should indeed be proud ; MRS. NEATE'S CAT HOUSES. 

! eyes All who have been accustomed to 

frequent the show pens will remember 

Miss M. Beal's splendid old orange queen 

' 

Jael,' who up 

but 

thinking of the kittens with terrible white 

to the last, although 

nearly fourteen years old, always took first 

prize, and was a very good specimen of what 

an orange queen should be- of a bright rich 

orange, without any suspicion of light under 

her chin or chest (the usual weak point), and 

chins and under -coats, which would crop 

up in every litter and would 

drowned, quite 

have to be 

deters me from sending my 

orange queens to white studs with blue 

ANOTHER VIEW OF MRS. NEATK S 

CAT HOUSES. 

having the splendid head, short nose, and good 

cobby shape which all breeders strive for. 

Short-haired orange cats are often seen about 

our towns and villages, and are always 

called 'sandy,' but are not, 

I think, held in much ac- 

count. They are distinct from, 

the so - called 

' 

red tabby,' 

which is a recognised colour 

in our shows." 

Among the prize - winning 

females of the present day I 

must not forget to notice Mrs. 

Singleton's "Orange Girl," bred 

from Miss Beal's noted strain. 

This cat has had many honours 

showered upon her during a 

very short career, and as there 

must always be a scarcity of 

queens in this breed, this fine 

specimen is a valuable possession.

So long as there are two cat clubs and two 

registers there will be a confused multiplicity 

of names, and so yet another orange male 

called " Puck " inhabits the cat world. This 

handsome fellow is owned by the Hon. Mrs. 

McLaren Morrison, to whom I had the pleasure 

of awarding first prize and many specials at 

the Botanic show held in June, 1902. 


His vivid 

colouring and well-shaped limbs and splendid 

eyes will always make him a conspicuous 

specimen in the show pen. Alas ! his photograph 

does him but scant justice. Quite a 

surprise packet appeared at the Crystal Palace 

show of 1902 by the appearance of a very 

handsome young male in " William of Orange " 

exhibited by Mrs. Stillwell, and bred from 

Dr. Roper's noted black " Johnnie Fawe " and 

tortoiseshell queen " Dainty Diana." This 

cat was awarded first and many specials, and 

was claimed by Lord Decies at catalogue price. 

As " William " was not a year old when he 

won his laurels, it may readily be believed that 

he has a distinguished career before him, and 

may add another to the long list of winners 

owned and exhibited by Lady Decies. No 

orange male cat is better known in the fancy 

than that splendid fellow " belonging to Mrs. Neate. 

The King's Own," 

He has had a most 

successful career, and may be considered as 

nearly self-coloured an orange as any yet 

exhibited. 

Mrs. Neate is a devoted admirer of this breed 

and also a great cat lover, and has recently 

started an arrangement for boarding cats, and 

truly I know of no place better adapted for 

successful cat keeping than the home of Mrs. 

Francis Neate, at Wernham, near Marlborough ; 

situated as it is in the very heart of the country, 

a mile from any other house, her cats can enjoy 

their liberty with perfect safety. 

A large range of brick-built and slated outhouses 

has been converted into catteries and 

comfortably fitted. All have wooden floors, 

wire doors, and large runs attached. A number 

of portable houses and runs are dotted about 

the kitchen garden and meadows. An empty 

cottage serves as an isolation hospital, or place 

of quarantine for cats returning from shows. 

A herd of pure-bred goats supply the inmates 

of the cattery with milk, and rabbits, which 

abound, form their staple food when in season. 

The largest of the outhouses is fitted with a 

Tortoise stove, carefulty guarded. The pride 

of Mrs. Neate's cattery is, of course, the famous 

orange stud "The King's Own." He is the sire 

of the two winning orange queens " Mehitabel 

of the Durhams " and " Glory of Prittlewell." 

" 

Fitting mates for him are Wernham 

" 

Titmouse "^(tortoiseshell-and-white), Evening 

Primrose " 

" 

(a cream daughter of Cham- 

pion Midshipmite " and " Hazeline "), also 

" Mimosa " (an orange bred by Miss Cartmell 

from " Richmond Bough " and " Mistletoe ") ; 

these occupy the house adjoining the stables. 

" Champion Bundle " and " Betsy Jane," a 

lovely little blue with glorious orange eyes, are 

the only blues of the establishment. Latterly 

Mrs. Neate has reduced her own stock of breed- 

ing queens, and makes a speciality of receiving 

cats during the holidays. Judging by the 

number of cat fanciers who sent their pets to 

Mrs. Neate during the summer of 1902, it is 

certain that a great want has been most 

efficiently supplied. 

Not only does Mrs. Neate 

give personal supervision to her catty boarders 

and visitors, but they have splendid caretakers 

on the premises. These custodians are Mrs. 

Neate's big St. Bernard and a chow-chow, who 

jealously guard the Wernham cattery. These 

dogs are on the very best terms with the 

feline inmates, and the strange pussies very 

soon appear to settle down to an amicable 

cat-and-dog life. The accompanying photographs, 

as will be seen, were taken in the depth 

of winter. These brick-built houses, slate 

roofed and with wooden floor, are splendidly 

adapted for keeping the cats snug 

and warm 

during the cold weather. One of the buildings 

illustrated is 25 feet by 15 feet, and has three 

windows. This house is provided with large 

table, shelves, and chairs, and cosy sleepingboxes. 

An outside wire run, of the same 

length and width as the building, 

an exercise ground in summer weather. 

is erected for 

Mrs. Neate has kindly supplied me with a 

few notes on orange Persian cats :

" It was in 1897, at Boscombe show, that I 

claimed the winner in a class of twenty-six 

kittens, my now well-known orange Persian 

stud ' 

The King's Own.' The same year, at 

the Crystal Palace, I purchased a lovely orange 

female kitten sired by Mrs. Pettit's ' 

King 

of Pearls ' 

Champion 

and the tortoiseshell-and-white 

' 

Dainty Doris.' From her I fondly hoped to 

establish a breed of blue-eyed oranges, which 

feature would be charming in the variety ; 


but 

alas ! she came home to sicken and die, as so 

many another valuable kitten has done, and I 

have never since been able to obtain an orange 

of either sex sired by a blue-eyed white. 

" It is most difficult to breed oranges without 

white lips and chins ; the pink nose, too, is a 

feature in the breed that I do not like. 

" I have found crossing an orange male with 

a cream female the surest way to breed sound- 

coloured specimens of both sexes and varieties, 

e.g. 

' 

Mehitabel of the Durhams ' 

(a really rich- 

coloured unmarked orange queen, and quite 

free from the objectionable light shading on 

lips and chin) ; she was bred by Mrs. D'Arcy 

' 

Hildyard from her cream female Josephine 

of the Durhams ' 

and ' 

The King's Own.' Again, 

from a blue male and a tortoiseshell queen you 

are more certain of breeding good oranges 

(though seldom of the female sex) than from 

mating tortoiseshell and orange together ; in 

the latter case more often than not black 

kittens predominate in the litter, and there is 

rarely, if ever, an orange female amongst them. 

" Mrs. Vidal's famous orange stud ' 

ton Sunnysides ' 

' 

Champion Bundle ' 

' 

Torring- 

was a son of my light blue 

and a tortoiseshell dam 

Torrington Owlet,' herself of an orange 

strain. Mrs. Walford Gosnall's ' 

Rufus ' 

(whose 

name discloses his colour) was also the result 

of this union. 

' 

Red Ensign,' the orange kitten 

who won first and three specials at Westminster 

in 1902, was bred by me from ' 

Bundle ' 

and ' 

Champion 

Mimosa,' an orange queen of 

cream breeding, and with his litter brother 

' 

Scarlet Lancer ' 

took first and silver medal 

for the best pair of kittens. The latter is now 

the property of Miss Cartmell, and has grown 

into a fine cat. Unfortunately for the cat 

fancy generally, ' 

' 

Red Ensign 

was claimed at 

the show, and is now a house pet. 

" The best orange kittens I have bred were 

from my 

' 

Wernham Titmouse,' a tortoiseshell- 

and-white who owns an orange dam, and ' 

King's Own 

' 

The 

; the whole litter were females, 

and redder than any oranges I have seen. 

These never lived to see a show, and their death 

was one of the greatest disappointments I 

have experienced in my career. The demand 

for good orange and cream females is greater 

than the supply ; in fact, these colours are 

decidedly 

' 

booming,' 

and better classification 

is given for them at our principal shows. 

" At the Crystal Palace show of 1898 there 

were only four entries in the open class for 

orange and cream males, and four of the same 

varieties in the female class, compared to the 

ten entries in orange and cream male classes 

and the same number in the female classes at 

the Cat Club's show, held at Westminster, 

1902. These facts speak for themselves of the 

increased interest now taken in these varieties. 

" 

Unlike some of the warmer tinted of us 

humans, orange cats of both sexes are particularly 

sweet tempered, showing great attachment 

to their owners. They are of strong 

constitution and attain to great size, being at 

present free from the in-breeding that is practised 

amongst many other varieties of our show cats. 

A small piece of sulphate of iron in the drinking 

water will enrich the colour of orange and 

tortoiseshells, besides being an excellent tonic, 

especially during the moulting season. 

" Orange Persian cats do not, as a rule, make 

good photographs, as they lack expression 

compared to the short-haired tabby varieties 

of this colour." 

The Misses Beal, of Romaldkirk, near Dar- 

lington, have long been associated with orange 

and cream cats. 

" Jael " was quite unique 

as an orange female, and at fifteen years of 

age could yet win in her class by reason of her 

grand colour, perfectly shaped head, short face, 

and tiny, well-set ears. Such a cat stands out 

in any breed, and such a cat may never again 

" " 

be bred. Jael died in 1902, after a long 

and successful career.

13* 

3 

1} 

e 

b.

" " 

Miss Beal's male orange Minotaur is one 

of the most beautiful cats of this breed now 

exhibited, and has quite the best round head 

and face, with sweetest expression. These are 

qualities too often lacking in orange cats. 

Miss Beal's name is, perhaps, more closely 

associated in the cat world with cream cats, 

and in my next chapter on this breed she has 

kindly supplied some notes. 

Another fancier of both orange and cream 

cats is Mrs. D'Arcy-Hildyard, and to her I 

am indebted for the following notes on orange 

Persian cats : 

" Until comparatively lately I confined myself 

entirely to the breeding of creams, and my 

efforts were attended with considerable success, 

both in multiplying the number of cats of 

that colour I bred thirteen one year and in 

filling the classes given for cream females. I 

was particularly lucky in breeding many 

creams of the gentler sex. 

" 

The birth of the Orange and Tortoiseshell 

Society fired me with ambition to start breed- 

ing oranges. I was much fascinated with the 

colour, though I hate their being penned beside 

the creams at shows, as they completely take 

all colour out of the lighter animals and give 

them a washed-out appearance. I started by 

crossing my cream queen 'Josephine of the Dur- 

hams ' 

with Mrs. Neate's famous ' 


The King's 

Own.' This proved a most satisfactory cross, 

the results being three rich-coloured unmarked 

orange kittens, one male and two females. I 

sold one female to Miss Scratton, of Prittlewell 

Priory, and it has, I hear, grown into a very 

handsome cat ; the other two I kept, and they 

won all before them at Manchester Kitten Show, 

1901, and were shown at Slough after, where 

the male was claimed. The remaining one, 

and she 

' 

Mehitabel of the Durhams,' I kept, 

won me many prizes last winter, and being 

mated this year to ' 

Admiral ' 

Champion Romaldkirk 

has presented me witli a litter of 

two creams and an orange. Certainly creams 

and oranges cross well, and often I think 

produce a brighter and deeper 

tone of colour 

than is obtained from other shades. I have 

lately purchased an orange torn, and by cross- 

. much 

ing 

him with ' 

Hazeline,' one of my cream 

queens, have got a splendid litter of seven pure 

oranges. This, I think, proves that the cream 

and orange cross is good, and that they breed 

very true. Oranges bred by crossing other 

colours seem to me rather spasmodic, if I may 

use the term. When breeders try crossing 

an orange and a tortoiseshell they very often 

on the 

get blacks and blues as well as oranges ; 

other hand, from a blue and a tortoiseshell cross 

sometimes an orange is obtained. But they do 

not seem able to count exactly on the results. 

" Reliability is what I claim from the cream 

and orange cross. I emphatically believe in 

mating creams to creams if you wish to get a 

good pale colour and few markings, and 

oranges and creams crossed have certainly 

produced good specimens of both colours for 

me. I speak from my own experience. 

" I hope to do great things by trying a 

cross between my orange torn 

' 

Benjamin ' 

and ' 

Mehitabel.' Miss Winifred Beal's ' 

Mino- 

taur ' 

was the result of a cross between a 

cream and a tortoiseshell. Her well-known 

' 

Garnet ' 

is the daughter of a cream and a 

blue. At present there is, to my mind, no 

orange female on the show bench to compare 

with the late ' 

Jael,' owned by Miss Mildred 

Beal, whose brilliant colour and perfect head 

with its tiny ears made her hold her own at all 

the shows up to within two months of her death 

at quite a venerable age ; but I hope in 

the future, as oranges become more popular 

and breeders work hard at producing good 

specimens, we may see her like again. I was 

taken at Richmond show with Mrs. Sin- 

gleton's 'Orange Girl,' and also with the kitten 

of that colour exhibited by the same lady at 

Manchester. Every year, I think, shows that 

the general world is becoming more alive to the 

beauties of orange and cream cats, as proved 

both by the large increase in entries of these 

colours at the principal shows and the great 

demand for kittens when any are offered for 

sale. Undoubtedly breeders owning creams 

should stick to them, if they wLh to produce 

good oranges see the many splendid speci- 

Admiral.' 

mens sired by ' 

Midshipmite ' 

and '

" It is a hard matter to say decisively what 

tint orange 

kittens should be when born, i 

have known them enter the world a bad cream, 

and gradually grow redder till they develop 

into the brilliant colour we all look to see in a 

cat of orange hue. Personally, I prefer them 

born a dark shade ; they usually lighten and 

brighten a little, but on the whole I think that 

is the more satisfactory of the two. It is 

distinctly discouraging 


to see a washed-out 

looking kitten when you are expecting a bright 

orange one. 

" Fanciers differ about the eyes which are 

supposed 

to be correct in this breed. Hazel 

eyes are universally acknowledged 

OUT IX THE COLD. 

(Photo : E. Lnndor, Eating.) 

to be the 

right thing. Personally, I admire green, or 

rather eau-de-nil eyes, as giving more contrast 

to the colour of the coat, but you do not often 

see them. I have always wished to breed a 

cream with blue eyes I do not mean the baby 

blue, but the colour -that Siamese have and 

only the other day I sold a kitten three months 

old with brilliant blue eyes of this tint, and 

shall be anxious to know whether they change 

in time or not. 

" I think the time is approaching when the 

orange and cream cats are going to be among 

the most attractive classes at our bigger shows. 

Already the classes are much better filled than 

when I first joined the fancy, and you always 

find an admiring crowd in front of their pens. 

I wish, though, that a nice sprinkling of blues 

could always be placed between the two 

colours at shows. The close company of the 

to the 

oranges is so excessively unbecoming 

creams, while when you see the three colours 

together they are especially lovely. To see 

cream and orange cats at their best they should 

be at large in the country and running about 

on the green grass." 

In 1902 an Orange and Cream Cat Club was 

started by a few enthusiastic breeders of these 

varieties over in America. The Misses Beal, 

Mrs. Vidal, and Miss Frances Simpson were 

elected as honorary members. The follow- 

ing is an extract from Field and Fancy, the 

American weekly paper : 

ORANGE CATS. 

There is very little doubt that this is a colour that 

has from the beginning of the fancy in America been

20O THE BOOK OF THE CAT. 

very popular, and has had a very strong hold upon 

the American love for colour. But, of course, as is 

generally the case with the popular ones, the supply 

has never been too plentiful, and probably never will 

be as regards the queens, for they only appear once 

in a while, according to what seems to be one of 

Nature's rules, that the queens should be tortoise- 

shells. 

The Orange and Cream Club is probably destined 

to do a great deal for the variety, which is one of the 

colours from which it takes its name. Breeding 

orange cats opens quite a field, for in attaining your 

end you can at the same time indulge in other colours, 

for undoubtedly a cross with a tortoiseshell will be 

found necessary to keep the colour sufficiently 

intense, and at other times it may be to throw in a 

quite as well 

little black. The tendency for the 

queens to be tortoiseshells may possibly be somewhat 

overcome in time, but these inherent traits in colours 

in animals and birds are often so strong that they 

have a knack of reappearing even after several 

generations. We occasionally see queens of the 

orange colour, and these are usually high quality 

HIGHER EDUCATION. 


ones, both in colour and type ; but the orange 

queens are not destined to at present make heavy 

classes by themselves. Though the standard calls 

for orange eyes, it is a curious coincidence that the 

most consistently successful cat of recent times has 

been Miss Beal's " Jael," who had green eyes ; but 

so good was her colour, so good her type, that she 

generally won when exhibited. 

The struggle carried on in the British Isles for some 

years to breed these cats without marks has been 

hardly a success, and there have not been very many 

evolved of that colour that were really without marks, 

and it is a great question if in this craze for absence of 

marks they have not been passing by a lot of good 

cats. As far as we personally are concerned in the 

matter, we see little to be gained by the absence of 

marks in the orange cats. If the colour had been 

very prolific in numbers it might have been a good 

idea to try and split up the classes, but they were 

never too well filled, and there is room still for plenty 

more, though we cannot complain so much at th& 

representation that they have had in America last 

season, either in numbers or quality.

MRS. CLINTON LOCKE S CREAM 

KITTEN. 

201 

CHAPTER XVI. 

CREAM OR FAWN PERSIANS. 

TVHIS may be 

said to be 

the very 

latest variety in 

Persian breeds, 

and one which 

bids fair to become 

very fashionable. 

The 

" " 

term cream 

describes exactly 

what is the de- 

sired tint of these 

cats, but few and 

far between are 

the specimens 

which are pale and even enough in colour to 

be correctly described as creams. No doubt, 

in times past now and again a cream cat 

would be seen exhibited in the " any variety " 

class, but then they might be designated as 

freaks or flukes. Now, however, fanciers of 

these cats have a system in their matings, and 

therefore, as a result, there is a breed of cats 

established which until late years were not 

recognised 

or classified. 

It is true that the cream Persians seen in the 

show pens are often much darker than is implied 

by the name, and, indeed, are really fawncoloured. 

The great thing, however, is to 

obtain an even tint throughout, whether dark 

or light, and to avoid any patches, streaks, or 

tabby markings. I think the very pale creams 

are more dainty and fascinating than the darker 

cats, but the lighter the coat the more difficult 

it is to obtain perfect uniformity of colour. Of 

course, there will always be a certain amount 

of shading in cream cats that is, the spine-line 

will be slightly darker, shading off on the sides 

and under the stomach and tail. I think that 

creams are making more rapid strides towards 

attaining the " almost unmarked " stage than 

are silvers. Certainly, good creams of to-day 

are very slightly barred on head or legs or tail, 

and this cannot be said as regards some of 

our best silver cats. This is probably to be 

accountgd_for by the cautious and wise discrimination 

used in mating creams by selecting 

blues or tortoiseshells, and thus avoiding 

tabby-marked cats. It is a peculiarity of 

cream cats that the eyes are generally almond- 

shaped, and are set rather slanting in the head. 

It is rare and a great treat to see bold, round, 

owl-like eyes in cream cats. These in colour 

should be golden or hazel, the brighter the 

colour the better. I will here give the points 

of cream or fawn cats, as drawn up by the 

specialist society : 

CREAM OR FAWN. 

Colour. To be as pure as possible without marking 

or shading, either paler or darker, dulness and white 

to be particularly avoided. All shades from the 

palest fawn to be allowable. 25. 

Coat. To be very long and fluffy. 25. 

Size and shape. To be large not coarse, but 

massive, with plenty of bone and substance ; 

short 

legs. 20. 

Head. To be round and broad, with short nose, 

ears small and well opened. 15. 

Eyes. To be large and full, and bright orange or 

hazel in colour. 5. 


Much has 

been done 

by 

this en- 

ergeticspecialistso- ciety to get 

a better 

classifica- 

t i o n f o r 

creams at 

our shows ; 

and p e r- 

haps,astime 

A CREAMY SMILE.

2O2 THE BOOK OF THE CAT. 

goes on and a larger number of fanciers take 

up these breeds, a distinct classification will be 

given for creams and fawns. It may always be 

a little difficult to draw the line between the 

two ; but such a division of colours would, I 

think, give satisfaction to the breeders of both 

creams and fawns, for at present judges are 

more inclined to give 

a preference to the 

palest - coloured cats, 

perhaps because more 

beautiful and more 

difficult to breed. 

In the former breeds, 

more especially blues 

and silvers, that I have 

described in this work 

it would have been 

impossible to name all 

those cats that were 

noted in the fancy, for 

the simple reason that 

their name is legion ; 

but it is different in a 

breed like creams, for, 

as I mentioned in the 

beginning 

of this 

chapter, in times past 

it was a case of only here and there a 

cream Persian appearing on the scene, then 

vanishing perhaps to America, or else being 

purchased for a pet and retiring from public 

life. These " sports " in the fancy were not 

seriously taken up, and no one thought of 

trying to establish a strain ; so that one can, 

as it were, put one's finger on the cats of this 

variety, if not so easily in the present day, 

certainly in the past. 

The first recorded cream Persian in cata- 

logues or stud books is " Cupid Bassanio," 

born in 1890, bred by Mrs. Kinchant ; no 

pedigree is given. He was a big, broadheaded, 

heavily coated cat, with a good many 

marks and shadings, and was sold to Mrs. 

Preston Whyte, and passed on to Miss Norman. 

In the same year Mrs. Kinchant exhibited 

" " 

cream kittens at Brighton. Ripon was 

another well-known cream of imported parents 

MRS. F. NORRIS S CREAM KITTEN 

(Photo: E. Lander, Baling.) 

(a blue and an orange). This cat was purchased 

from Mrs. Foote by Lady Marcus 

Beresford, and eventually disappeared when 

in the possession of Miss Cockburn Dickinson. 

Mr. McLaren Morrison in 1893 owned a pale 

cat called " Devonshire Cream." In the follow- 

ing year Miss Taylor bred a splendid specimen 

from " Tawny," 

her noted tortoise- 

shell. This cat, called 

" Fawn," was an ab- 

solutely self - coloured 

fawn with brown eyes, 

and would do some 

winning 

to compete in our 

if alive now 

up-to-date classes for 

cream or fawn. It was 

in 1895 that Miss Beal 

first exhibited some of 

her creams, upon 

which at that time she 

did not set much store, 

more interested as she 

was in blues ; but of 

her now celebrated 

strain more anon. 

One of the best- 

known creams of late years is " Zoroaster," 

bred by Mrs. Bagster from her tortoiseshell 

"Pixie." This was a remarkably large pale 

cat with glorious eyes, but he was a good deal 

in colour when I saw him at Mrs. 

patched 

Mackenzie Stewart's cattery. Mrs. Cartwright 

bred a well-shaped light cream, " Upwood 

Junket," by " Timkins," a blue, and a daughter 

" 

of Cyrus the Elamite." Mrs. Davies, of 

Caterham, has often had creams in her possession, 

notably " Lord Cremorne," quite one of 

the palest seen in the show pen. Two noted 

creams now placed at stud are Mrs. Norris's 

" " " 

Kew Ronald and Mrs. Western's Matthew 

of the Durhams." Both these cats arc bred 

from Miss Beal's famous " Heavenly Twins." 

Regarding " Matthew," a reporter in Our Cats 

thus writes after the Botanic show of 1901 : 

" Creams are, we prophesy, the coming cats. 

There seems to us great possibilities in this

variety. 

' 

Matthew of the 

' 

Durhams 'is one 

of the cats we would bring forward in support 

of this view. Eminently aristocratic, breath- 

ing an air of refinement, this cat might 

CREAM OR FAWN PERSIANS. 203 

be the 

petted darling of a princess whose cats are all 

selected by a connoisseur." Mr. Western is 

justly proud of his purchase, for he claimed 

this fine cat at the Sandy show, 1901, when he 

was exhibited by Mrs. 

" " 

Matthew has on four 

D'Arcy 

separate 

Hildyard. 

occasions 

taken second to his father ".Admiral's " first. 

He has sired some lovely creams, notably 

" Wynnstay Myrtle," also owned by Mrs. F. 

Western. This female is one of the best of her 

breed, and is sure to have some influence over 

the creams of the future. At the Crystal 

Palace show of 1902, where she was awarded 

first and many specials, she was the admired of 

all admirers. As a rule, cream females have 

been very much behind the males in quantity 

and quality. 

Almost the 

first two were 

bred by Miss 

Hester Cochr 

a n e from 

"Cyrus the 

Elamite" and 

"Brunette." 

"Creme d'Or" 

is quite one of 

the best, and 

was owned by 

Mrs. Wellbye, 

who sold her 

to Mrs.Xorris. 

This cat de- 

clined to enter 

into any mat- 

rimonialalliance for some 

time, but at last presented her owner with a 

family by " Darius," Mrs. Ransome's noted 

" 

blue. Two " 

of these cats, Kew Laddie and 

" Kew Ronald," are well known in their 

" " 

different spheres. Kew Laddie I purchased 

to send out to Mrs. Clinton Locke, 

in Chicago, and she presented him to the 

honorary secretary of the Beresford Club, Miss 

Johnstone. This lady exhibited " Laddie " 

at the big Chicago Cat Show, where he 

won high honours, and in a letter received 

from Miss Johnstone I learn he is growing a 

grand fellow and, in fact, is quite la creme de 

la creme in catty society over the water. 

The picture of a perfect kitten on the opening 

page of this chapter represents a cream female, 

" Jessica Kew," bred by Mrs. Clinton Locke 

from " Lockhaven Daffodil," 

" 

Johnstone's Laddie Kew." 

sired 

Mrs. 

by Miss 

Clinton 

Locke is justly proud of this lovely kitten, and 

writes: "Jessica is the finest kitten I have 

ever seen ; all her points are perfect. She was 

five weeks old when this photo was taken. 

Her grandfather was my 

' 

Victor,' an orange, 

her great-grandmother a tortoiseshell - and - 

white." 

KEW RONALD AND "KEW LADDIK. 

(Photo : E. Lamior, Baling.) 

I have mentioned Mr. F. Norris as a breeder 

of creams and 

the owner of 

the handsome 

pair of cats 

illustrated on 

this page. He 

has kindly 

supplied me 

with the fol- 

notes : 

lowing 

"Cream cats 

are of a mod- 

ern colour in 

Persians, but 

are now being 

more freely 

bred and finding 

numerous 

supporters. 

There are, 

however, very 

few good ones in the fancy, for size and 

colour are difficult to obtain. The great 

failing with them is that, although they are 

called cream cats, the best and soundest 

coloured ones are really of a fawn shade. So 

many show markings, patches, or shadings, 

whereas the colour should be one shade and


sound throughout ; better be a little dark in 

colour rather than shade from cream to white, 

as is the case with so many specimens ex- 

hibited. 

"For one grand-headed and good-eyed cot 

you see a dozen snipy, long-faced ones with 

curious slit eyes, instead of a short, snub head, 

with glorious big round golden eyes. 

" 

In my opinion, to get the short head, good 

eye, fine body shape, and short legs, 

it is best 

to mate a cream with a good cobby blue. From 

my experience nothing beats a blue, although 

you can mate them with a red, tortoiseshell, 

or black. Mating two creams together 

I do not advocate, unless one of them 

has a distinct out-cross in the first 

generation to totally different blood. 

"All the creams shown are descended 

from Miss Beal's two brothers ' 

Romaldkirk 

Admiral ' 

Romaldkirk Mid- 

and ' 

shipmite,' and to keep the colour, 

breeders have bred in and into them 

again ; and that is why they have 

lost so much in type and character, 

which would have been improved by 

using an out-cross. 

" ' 

I have heard people say, Cream 

females will not breed.' If they only 

studied the question a minute, they 

would know the reason well enough, 

which is that they have been too much 

in-bred. If breeders will only try the 

blue cross more, they will, I am sure, 

be pleased, and we shall see a better 

cat being shown. Breeding from blue 

you will get pure creams and some 

cream and blue mixed. Keep the blue 

and cream females, and when old 

enough mate them to a cream, and 

you will get some fine sound-coloured 

cream kits. 

" 

It is very curious that there has 

been nothing yet bred in males to beat 

the twin cats ' 

Admiral ' 

and ' 

Mid- 

shipmite.' 

" In females the best I have seen is 

' 

Miriam of the Durhams,' who has a 

lovely body and coat, but is long in face 

and has those bad-shaped eyes. 

' 

Creme d'Or ' 

runs her close, as she has such a good head, 

with perfect eye, but is a wee bit long in the leg." 

Miss Beal's females "Calliope" and "Mignonette 

" were both noted prize-winning cream 

females. Mrs. D'Arcy Hildyard has been most 

successful in her endeavours to breed creams 

from creams, and a letter from her in Our Cats 

of April, IQOI, will be interesting to breeders 

of this variety : 

BREEDING OF CREAMS. 

SIR, Being much interested in the breeding of 

creams, I should like to say a few words on the 

MRS. D'ARCY HILDYARD'S CREAM KITTENS. 

(Photo : E. Yeoman, Barnard Castle.)

subject and state my experience. Though only a 

novice, I have up to date succeeded in breeding 

twenty creams two in 1899, thirteen in 1900, and 

seven this year. I began by mating my mixed blue 

" " " 

and cream queen Senga to a cream torn D'Arcy," 

which I bought from Mr. Hutchinson, of Egglestone. 

From this pair I got four kittens, all females two 

cream and two marked blues. I kept the creams 

" " " 

Josephine and Hazeline," winners at Westmin- 

ster as kittens, first and second special and medal, 

1900. Later on in the year I mated them, " Hazeline" 

to Miss Beal's " Midshipmite," " Josephine " to her 

" 

Admiral." Both litters were entirely cream, 

" " " " 

Josephine producing six kittens, Hazeline pro- 

" " 

ducing five, two of which I have kept. Matthew 

and " Miriam of the Durhams " both won as kittens 

at Manchester, and " Miriam " has since taken first 

and specials at Barnard Castle, Westminster, and 

" " 

Reading. Matthew is growing into a very handsome 

cat, and I hope to exhibit him at the Botanic. 

" " On Saturday last, April ijth, Hazeline again 

kittened and produced five creams, having again been 

mated to " ' 

Midshipmite. This I think distinctly 

proves that good ci earns can be got from a pair of 

" " 

the same colour. On April i4th Senga also presented 

me with two more creams, also two marked 

blues, this time the result of a mating with Miss 

Beale's " Romaldkirk Toza." 

AGNES D'ARCY HILDYARD. 

Mrs. Barton Collier has two good creams, 

"Bruin" and "Dolly of Brough." Again 

these cats are from Miss Beal's strain, the male 

being a fawn and the female quite one of the 

palest of creams. 

Miss H. Cochran, who formerly took a great 

interest in this breed, writes : 

CREAM OR FAWN PERSIANS. 205 

" I should be 

inclined to mate a pale cream male or female 

with a white, and the progeny with an unmarked 

orange, or vice versa. I had a litter 

from ' 

Buttercup ' 

and ' 

Zoroaster,' consisting 

of two oranges, two fawns, and a cream. The 

fawn and creams were females, but all died in 

their youth. I made other attempts with 

similar crosses, as I had been told it was im- 

possible to breed cream queens, and in the first 

year all the creams were queens, and the males 

red ! My idea was to select a male of the 

required colour, and mate a queen of suitable 

breeding with him, then to mate the resulting 

queens with their own father. I believe this 

plan would have been a success if I had followed 

it up. My idea is that the natural males are 

"MIRIAM OF THE DURHAMS. 

(Photo: . yeoman, Barnard Castle.) 

the fawns and oranges, and that their com- 

plementary queens 

are the blue tortoiseshells 

and the ordinary tortoiseshells. No harm is 

ever done to a cream or orange strain by cross- 

ing with black, and it may do much good to 

the latter by deepening the colour of the 

oranges, and promoting patchiness as opposed 

to streakiness in the tortoiseshells." 

I have made frequent mention of Miss Beal's 

noted creams during my chapters on orange 

and cream cats. These two celebrated cham- 

pions are commonly known in the fancy as the 

" Heavenly Twins," their registered names 

being " Romaldkirk Admiral " and " Romaldkirk 

Midshipmite." They are really fawn 

Persian cats, very sound in colour, well made, 

big boned, and are always exhibited in the pink 

of condition, and at all seasons of the year 

are in marvellous coat. Certainly, the cold 

climate of the Romaldkirk cattery, which is 

situated 730 feet above the sea level, must, 

anyhow, suit this variety of Persian cat. I 

suppose the day will come when these well-


tried and well-seasoned veterans will have to 

retire from public life and make way for some 

of their already noted offspring. In the North, 

South, East, and West these " Heavenly Twins" 

have reigned supreme, and Miss Beal must 

almost have lost count of the number of prizes 

won by them, which, I think I am safe in 

saying, would give an exact record of the 

number of times exhibited. In response to my 

request, Miss Beal has sent me some notes re- 

garding her cattery arrangements, She says : 

" Most of the houses 

are old farm buildings 

round about our stable 

yard, and I have recently 

utilised an old granary 

which is over the coach- 

house. This is about 40 

feet long, and has a room 

at one end, with five windows 

and good ventilation 

above. In addition I have 

three big cat houses and 

a loft, where most of the 

queens reside . 

' 

Middy ' 

and 

' 

Admiral ' 

(the ' 

Heavenly 

Twins ') have small wooden 

houses, felted inside and 

out, with wired runs and 

concrete floors. 

ic 

I have the use of two 

laundries and a tool-house fitted with fireplaces, 

and these I reserve in case of illness." 

There are no cats exhibited in better coat 

and condition than those that come from the 

Romaldkirk cattery, and the Misses Beal may 

be justly proud of their splendid specimens 

of creams, oranges, tortoiscshells, and blue 

Persians. Miss W. Beal has kindly supplied 

me with a short article on cream and fawn 

Persians : 

" The cream and fawn Persian was a few 

years ago looked ' 

upon as a sport,' and when 

cream kittens appeared in an orange strain 

they were considered spoilt oranges, and were 

either given away, sold for a few shillings, or in 

many cases destroyed as useless. Now, how- 

ever, it is very different ; there is a growing 

CHAMPION ROMAI.DK1KK ADMIKAL. 

(Photo: G. W. Vidals.) 

demand for cats and kittens of this colour, and 

at the big shows they usually have two classes, 

i.e. male and female, for them. They were 

certainly slow in coming into general favour, 

owing, I think, to the following facts : First, 

that the specimens formerly exhibited failed 

very noticeably in head, being very 

narrow in 

face arid long in nose ; secondly, that cream 

females were practically unknown ; 

and, thirdly, 

that a show, where they are generally seen, 

is emphatically the worst place to see cream 

Persians to advantage, as 

the journey and being in 

a town, etc., takes off the 

spotlessness 

of their coat 

and dulls their colour, and 

the dingy grey of the pens 

and the yellow of the straw 

combine to spoil the effect 

of their colour. 

"The place, without 

doubt, to see creams to 

perfection is the country, 

where against a background 

of vivid green lawn their 

is in- 

pure, soft colouring 

deed a thing of beauty, 

and rarely fails to 

mand admiration. 

com- 

The 

colour is rather difficult 

to describe, and there are 

two distinct tones of colour bred, the one 

which is generally seen and is so far most 

successful at shows being a cream rather deep 

in shade, almost buff, with a distinct pink 

tinge about it, which is very different from the 

washed-out orange or sandy colour some people 

imagine 

it to be. The other tone of cream 

colour is much paler in shade, but, instead of 

the pink, it inclines to a lemon tinge, and, 

though paler, it is, as a rule, more ' 

flaky ' 

and 

uneven than the darker shades, and it is also 

very apt to fade into white underneath. 

" 

Nearly all the best-known creams are bred 

in the first place from orange and blue strains, 

though creams have appeared 

as freaks in 

many colours silvers, tabbies, etc. ; but I believe 

the present strains sprang from crossing

lue and orange, and you can generally rely on 

getting some creams by crossing 

CREAM OK FAWN PERSIANS. 207 

a tortoise- 

shell, cream, orange, or blue tortoiseshell queen 

with a blue sire. But, so far, reversing the mat- 

ing, i.e. a blue queen with a cream or orange 

sire, is not successful from the cream breeders' 

point of view, though very good from that of 

those breeders who want blues, as the kittens 

generally excel in purity of colour. Cream 

females are now fairly common, and so in a 

few years there ought to be a well-established 

strain of cream-bred creams ; but, as in all 

other breeding for colour, people are apt to 

get surprises for instance, one strain of cream 

females mated to a cream sire invariably 

produces whole litters of creams, while another 

strain, more cream-bred than the first named, 

mated to the same sire produces equal numbers 

of creams and orange-and-creams. If people 

wish to start breeding creams, and cannot 

afford a cream female, it is a good plan to buy 

a well-bred nondescript coloured female, either 

blue-and-cream, tabby, tortoiseshell, or anything 

that has cream or orange about it, and 

if it is properly mated there are nearly sure 

to be one or two creams : 

thus 

a cream strain 

can be gradually built up. 

" There are several things to be remembered 

MRS. F. WESTERN'S " MATTHEW OF THE 

DURHAMS." 

(Photo: E. Yeoman, Barnard Castle.) 

in trying to breed good creams. One point to 

be aimed at is to keep the colour as level as possible, 

whether it be of a dark or light shade, and 

to keep it pure, not tinged with blue or dull. 

Among other faults to be bred out are the light 

lip and chin, which are very common defects, and 

the long head, which is still seen sometimes, 

though creams have improved vastly in this 

respect in the last few years. Creams have 

been taken up greatly in America as well as 

oranges, and there they seem to be formidable 

rivals in -popularity to the silvers, which have 

so far over here outdone them in that respect. 

" One great point in favour of creams is their 

hardiness, for they do not possess the delicate 

constitutions which seem to belong to most of 

the other very pale varieties of Persians. With 

other coloured cats blues, silvers, etc. 

creams make a splendid contrast, and with 

oranges add greatly to the effect of a group. 

They also cross well with several colours 

blue, black, tortoiseshell, etc. for breeding ; 

and many breeders think the result of the 

growing fancy for these colours, i.e. cream and 

orange for, though so different, they are hard 

to deal with separately will be that they will 

be better catered for at shows as to classes, and 

more extensively bred than they are at present."

MANY years ago, when I first took up 

the cat iancy, I used to think tortoiseshells 

ugly and commonplace, and 

I am afraid even now I have not that 

admiration for the breed which I feel a 

really good specimen of this variety ought 

to inspire. To begin with, it is seldom that 

a true type of long-haired tortoiseshell is 

seen or exhibited, and perhaps this may 

account for the breed being so much neg- 

lected. They are not taking-looking cats, 

and make a poor show in the pen. I have 

often remarked, however, that this is a favourite 

breed with the sterner sex, and that our pro- 

fessional men judges will almost invariably 

pick out a tortoiseshell when judging an " anyother 

colour " class, and give it some mark of 

distinction. This may be accounted for by 

the fact that, of all varieties, a really good 

tortoiseshell is most difficult to breed, and 

therefore any specimen approaching perfection 

should be encouraged. There are splashed and 

sable tortoiseshells. and tortoiseshell tabbies, 

all handsome cats of their kind, but not the 

genuine article. Real tortoiseshells may be 

called tricolour cats, for they should bear three 

colours, like a tortoiseshell comb, on their 

208 

" TOPSY OF MEREVALE." 

THE PROPERTY OF MRS. BIGNELL. 

(Photo: O, Hardee, Chislelmrst.) 

CHAPTER XVII. 

TORTOISESHELL PERSIANS. 

bodies, namely black, red, and yellow, in 

distinct patches or blotches, solid in colour and 

well broken up, with no trace of stripes, bars, 

or tabby markings. A brindling effect is to 

be avoided, and a white spot on chin is a great 

blemish. It is most undesirable that the black 

should predominate, in which case the specimen 

will lack brilliancy. The three colours should, 

if possible, be pretty evenly distributed over 

the body, legs, and tail, and should not run 

into each other. The red and yellow may 

preponderate over the black with good effect. 

A blaze, so called, up the face is considered 

correct, and this should be of the red or yellow, 

and in a straight line from the nose upwards. 

This is a very distinctive feature in the breed, 

and one that judges will look for in a good 

show specimen. It is incorrect for the tail to 

be in any way ringed with the colours. The 

texture of the coat is often coarser and more 

hairy in this breed, and it is not usually so long 

as in other varieties of Persian 

and flowing 

cats. There is no difference of opinion as to 

the correct colour for the eyes of tortoiseshells. 

They should be a bright golden or orange, and 

these seem in perfect harmony with the colour- 

ing 

of the coat. Tortoiseshells never attain

any great size, and may be called a small 

breed of Persian cats. I give the list of points 

as drawn up by the specialist society : 

TORTOISESHELL. 

Colour and marking. The three colours black, 

orange, and yellow to be well broken and as bright 

and well denned as possible ; free from tabby mark- 

ings, no white. 30. 

Coat. To be silky, very long, and fluffy. 20. 

Size and shape. To be large not coarse, but 

massive, with plenty of bone and substance ; 

TORTOISESHELL PERSIANS. 209 

short 

legs. 25. 

Head. To be round and broad, with short nose, 

ears small and well opened. 15. 

Eyes. To be large and full, and bright orange or 

hazel in colour. 5. 


They are quite one of the most interesting 

from which to breed, and experiments can be 

tried successfully in crossing a tortoiseshell 

queen with black, cream, orange, and blue 

cats. The litters will often be a study in 

variety. I have known one family to consist 

of a black, a white, a cream, an orange, and 

a blue ! The owner of such a litter would 

have something to suit all comers. A really 

good tortoiseshell queen may, therefore, be 

considered a valuable property. And what of 

a tortoiseshell torn ? A mine of wealth would 

such a possession be to any fancier. Among 

short-haired cats a tortoiseshell torn is a rare 

animal, but I do not think a long-haired specimen 

has ever been seen or heard of. Several 

experiments have been tried, but it remains 

for some skilful and scientific breeder to solve 

the problem of the manner and means to be 

employed to produce males of this breed. The 

classification at our smaller shows for tortoise- 

shells is generally of a meagre and discouraging 

description. There are so few specimens that 

executives of shows fight shy of giving a class 

for even tortoiseshell and tortoiseshcll-andwhite 

together. 

" 

in the 

So tortoiseshells are mixed 

up 

any other colour " class, and there- 

fore this breed can seldom, if ever, be really 

judged on its own merits, or comparisons made 

between the different specimens that are ex- 

hibited. At our largest shows there are classes 

provided, which, however, are poorly filled. 

14 

Tortoiseshells may be said to have had 

no past. There are no celebrities in feline 

history save and except " Queen Elizabeth," 

and not only was she the finest of her breed, 

but she also made her name famous by severely 

injuring Mr. W. R. Hawkins, who was examin- 

ing her when making his awards ; and I have 

good 

reason or rather bad reason for recol- 

lecting her, on account of her fixing her teeth 

into my hand when I was removing her from 

her basket to pen her at the Westminster show 

in 1899. It seems that she had a great objection 

to travelling, and resented making an 

exhibition of herself in public ! She was a 

grand specimen, however, and, besides always 

carrying off highest honours herself, she was 

the mother of many prize-winning orange and 

tortoiseshell cats, amongst others 

" 

Prince 

Charlie," "Prince Lyne," and " Mattie." I 

have failed to obtain a photograph of this 

celebrated cat ; and, even had I succeeded, 

a tortoiseshell makes a tetribly poor picture 

when reproduced in photography, for the 

reason that the yellow comes out only fairly 

light, the orange appearing as dark as the 

black patches. 

Miss H. Cochran had a dear old pet puss 

called "Brunette," a dark tortoiseshell, and 

from her were bred 

some of the first 

cream females ever 

exhibited. The 

Hon. Mrs. 

McLaren 

M orrison 

has a good 

tortoise- 

Miss H. COCHRAN'S TORTOISESHELL " BKUXETTK."


" TOPSY. 

OWNED BY Miss SARGENT. 

(Pltoto : J. P. Bennett, West Norwood.) 

shell, " Curiosity " by 

name. The best three 

specimens now before the public are Dr. Roper's 

" Dainty Diana," Miss M. Beal's " Pansy," Miss 

Kate Sangster's " Royal Yum Yum," and Mrs. 

Bignell's " Topsy of Merevale." As regards 

the last-named, 

plied me with 

Mrs. Bignell has 

particulars of 

kindly sup- 

" " 

Topsy's 

litters when mated with different-coloured cats. 

" Topsy's " first litter in 1896, when mated 

to the " Duke of Kent " (a blue), was two 

creams and two smokes. When mated to 

" Johnnie Fawe " (a black) her kittens were 

all of the father's dusky hue. Again, when 

crossed with another blue m'ale her litter con- 

sisted of two orange males and a tortoiseshell 

female, and again to the same cat one black 

male and two orange males. "Topsy" is a 

noted prize-winner, and one of her smoke 

children, " Lucy Claire," went out to Chicago, 

and is considered the finest smoke specimen in 

the American fancy. Dr. Roper's "Dainty 

Diana " is one of the best-known tortoiseshells, 

and her colouring as good as any exhibited ; 

she is the mother of many winners. Miss 

Kate Sangster, who is a great admirer of this 

" ' 

My Champion Royal Yum 

was bred from a black and a tortoise- 

breed, writes : 

' Yum 

shell, and her grandsire was a cream. She is 

over .seven years old, and has had twenty- two 

kittens, namely, five cream, five blue, five 

orange, four black, and three tortoiseshell." 

Miss Mildred Beal, who with her sister is 

so well known in connection with cream and 

orange cats, is also the owner of some fine 

" " 

tortoiseshells. Wallflower (well so named) 

is the mother of a noted prize-winning cream 

called " " 

Sunlocks." Pansy," Miss M. Beal's 

special pet, is a well-known tortoiseshell. 

" Snapdragon," another prize-winner, was ex- 

'ported to America, where quite a number of 

the Romaldkirk cats have found their home. 

We need a few more enthusiastic admirers of 

tortoiseshells like Miss M. Beal to take up this 

rather despised breed and follow in her footsteps. 

Some notes by the owner of " Pansy " 

will be of interest : 

" Even fanciers who will go into raptures 

over the blue, orange, cream, or silver members 

of the establishment have no admiration to 

spare for a tortoiseshell, however striking its 

record of prizes may be ; and yet to those who 

breed and understand them there is something 

very fascinating about these quaint creatures, 

though the taste for them is certainly an 

acquired one. 

" 

Among non-catty people great ignorance 

prevails as to what colour a tortoiseshell cat 

really is. Many people, if asked to describe 

a tortoiseshell cat. would say that it was a sort 

of sandy colour all over ; others imagine that 

the ' 

chintz ' 

cat, as it is called in the North 

white with black and red patches has a right 

to the name. So let it be said at once that 

three colours, namely, orange, yellow, and 

black, and these only, enter into the composition 

of the true tortoiseshell. There must be 

no white, neither should there be any trace of 

tabby markings, though this is very difficult 

to attain. The three colours should be patched 

all over the cat, and the more 

or ' 

broken ' 

distinct each separate colour is in these patches 

of colour is another 

the better. Brilliancy 

point which breeders have to consider ; many 

tortoiseshells have far too large a proportion 

of black in their colouring, which gives them 

a dingy and uninteresting appearance, and is 

sure to go against them in the show pen. The 

eyes should be orange, and in other points, 

such as shape, head, and texture of coat, the

K H0, 

H 

GQ 

a 

o ^ 

f-H 

s I 

w 

U 

en 

I-H 

O 

H 

O 

H

standard is the same as for the other varieties 

of long-haired cats. 

" One curious fact in connection with longhaired 

tortoiseshells, which is well known to 

fanciers, may be mentioned, namely, the nonexistence 

of the male sex. Among short- 

haired tortoiseshells toms are exceedingly rare, 

though one or two do exist but an adult ; 

longhaired 

male appears to be absolutely unheard 

of. The writer knows of one male kitten born 

some years ago, but it was either born dead 

or died in very early infancy. Darwin's 

theory that the orange torn and tortoiseshell 

queen were originally the male and female 

of the same variety is borne out by the fact 

that until recently orange females were also 

rare. Of late years a good many of these have 

been bred and reared, and therefore, 

TORTOISESHELL PERSIANS. 211 

if the 

Darwinian theory be correct, it seems hard to 

believe that the tortoiseshell torn must be 

regarded as unattainable. If the difficulty 

has been successfully overcome in the one case, 

why not in the other ? Breeding with this 

object in view is very slow work, for some 

tortoiseshell queens will produce litter after 

litter without a single kitten of their own 

colour, and a family con- 

sisting entirely of tortoiseshells 

would be as welcome 

as it is rare. But it 

would be a pity to despair 

of breeding the long 

looked for torn ; if he ever 

does make his appearance, 

he will be hailed with 

MISS KATK SANGSTKK'S " ROYAL YUM YUM." 

(I'lwto: 

sufficient interest to gratify any quantity of 

feline vanity. 

" At present, breeders hardly seem to recognise 

the great value of a tortoiseshell queen 

for breeding almost any variety of self-coloured 

cat. If the queen is mated to an orange, a 

cream, or a blue torn, she will be very likely to 

produce at least one or two really good specimens 

of the same colour as the sire, and some- 

times a far larger proportion of the litter will 

' 

favour ' 

him. Much, of course, depends upon 

how the queBn herself is bred, and this no doubt 

accounts for disappointment in some cases. 

" 

Tortoiseshells compare very favourably 

with the other varieties of long-haired cats in 

the matter of intelligence. The writer knows 

one which enjoys the well-earned reputation 

of being the cleverest thief in the cattery. 

she has 

Nothing is safe from her nimble paws ; 

often been known to remove the lid from the 

saucepan in which the meat for the cattery 

supper had been placed, and make off with the 

contents ; and if the cook's back should be 

turned for only half a minute, woe to tomorrow's 

dinner or to anything else tempting 

which may chance to be within reach ! 

W. V. Amey, Lanilpoft.) 

; ' 

Though tortoiseshells may 

be distinguished for brains, some 

of them certainly fail considerably 

in temper. They seem to 

find it most difficult to keep the 

peace with the other members 

of the cattery. I sincerely hope 

thisbreedwill receive more atten- 

tion from fanciers in the future.

212 

CHAPTER XVIII. 

TORTOISESHELL-AND-WHITE PERSIANS. 

cats, both long- and short-haired, shell-and-white should be. She was not a 

-L have always had a great fascination white-and-tortoiseshell, as so many now seen 

for me. One of my first Persian pets in the show pen might be called. In these 

was a tortoiseshell-and-white, with a gorgeous cases the white predominates, and in reality 

coat, stand-out frill, and wide-spreading tail, the four colours should be about equally 

PEGGY 

She was so stately and dignified that we 

called her "The Lady Mayoress." In those 

days cats were of no account, and shows 

were non-existent. My pretty pet roamed at 

will and made her own matrimonial arrange- 

ments : the kittens were consequently mostly 

consigned to the bucket. 

With my present knowledge of the feline 

race, I realise that " The Lady Mayoress " 

was a grand specimen of what a tortoise- 

OWNED BY Miss TEKKILL. 

(Photo: W. Baker, Birmingham.) 

distributed. The patches of black, red, and 

yellow should cover the back, head, and tail, 

of the 

leaving the chest and paws and part 

hind-quarters white. There should be patches 

of the three colours on each side of the face, 

with a white blaze up the nose. 

As in the tortoiseshells, so in this breed it is 

better for the brighter colours rather than 

the black to predominate. I believe an old- 

fashioned name for this breed was chintz cats.

TOR TOISESHELL-AND - WHITE PERSIANS. 213 

I think they might also be called patchwork 

cats ! There 

is a. great deal in the manner 

in which the colours are distributed on either 

side of the head, for expression in a cat goes 

n long way, and if the patches are badly 

placed and unevenly 

distributed the effect 

may be displeasing, and perhaps grotesque. 

Harrison \Yeir, in writing of this breed, 

says: "In a good tortoiseshell - and - white 

there should be more white on the chest, belly, 

and hind legs than is allowable in the blackand-white 

cat. This I deem necessary for 

artistic beauty when the colour is laid on in 

patches, although it should be even, clear, and 

distinct in its outline ; the larger space of white 

adds brilliancy to the red, yellow, and black 

colouring. The face is one of the parts which 

should have some uniformity of colour, and 

yet not so, but a mere balancing of colour ; 

that is to say, there should be a relief in black, 

with the yellow and red on each side, and so 

in the body 

and tail. The nose should be 

white, the eyes orange, and the whole colouring 

rich and varied, without the least ' 

tabbiness,' 

either brown or grey, or an approach to it, such 

being highly detrimental to its beauty." 

This is another of the breeds of long-haired 

cats that may be said to have no history in the 

fancy, and I doubt if tortoiseshell-and-whites 

will ever be taken up seriously. There will 

always remain the difficulty of obtaining good 

mates for the queens, as males in this variety 

are almost as rare as in the tortoiseshells. It 

would seem that the corresponding males to 

tortoiseshells and tortoiseshell-and-whites are 

orange and fawns. I do not remember ever 

having seen or heard of a long-haired tortoiseshell-and-white 

torn cat ; and as regards notable 

females, these have never at any time been 

numerous, and few really good specimens have 

been exhibited. 

The most perfect type was Lady Marcus 

Beresford's " Cora," an imported cat of great 

size and beautiful shape. Her colouring and 

markings were lovely, and her round snub 

face and short nose lent great charm to this 

unique specimen. It was a grievous loss to 

her owner and the fancy when poor " Cora " 

14* 

MISS YEOMAN, S TOKTOISESHELL-AXD-WHITE 

" MARY II." 

(Photo: D. Pym, Streatlmm.) 

suddenly developed dropsy, and succumbed to 

this rather unusual complaint amongst cats. 

Mrs. Davies possessed a fine tortoiseshell-and- 

white named " Chumly," and Mrs. Bampfylde's 

" Susan " was a good type. Many of 

the cats exhibited have either too much or 

too little white, and often there is a grave sus- 

picion of tabby amongst the black and orange. 

Coming down to the present-day cats, I may 

mention Mr. Furze's " Beauty of Birmingham 

" and " Peggy Primrose," both of which 

he disposed of after shows where they were 

exhibited. There is no doubt these cats are 

very taking in the show pen, where darker 

feline beauties are at a considerable dis- 

advantage. 

I have had a difficulty in obtaining any 

good photographs illustrative of these cats, 

for, as with tortoiseshells, the colouring cannot 

be successfully portrayed by any gradations 

in tone, so that the orange and black 

both appear dark on a white ground, and

214 THE BOOK OP 1HE CAT. 

thus the individuality of the breed is lost. 

It is different in painting, when it may be 

generally noticed that artists choose to depict 

these broken-coloured cats in preference to 

the self-coloured ones. In Madame Ronner's 

lovely pictures, 

of which several adorn these 

pages, 

the fascinating fluffy kittens are patched in 

it will be remarked that almost all 

colour. 

As I have remarked, one of the reasons why 

these cats have not been seriously taken up 

by fanciers is the difficulty experienced in 

selecting suitable mates that will be likely to 

perpetuate the breed. In fact, this is not 

possible with any degree of certainty. Tortoiseshell 

- and - whites may be crossed with 

AT HOMK. 

(From a Painting by Madame Ronner.) 

black or orange cats, and it is a toss-up what 

the progeny may be. Creams are sometimes 

bred by mating with blues, but there is alwaj'S 

the danger of white spots and white toes. I 

once mated a pretty tortoiseshell - and - white 

with my silver " Cambyses," and the result 

was a good pale silver and an almost unmarked 

cream. Considering all things, I cannot 

prophesy any future for this breed in the 

fancy ; in fact, I think there is every chance 

of these really pretty pussies disappearing 

from our midst. At the Westminster show 

of 1903 there was only one solitary entry in 

the tortoiseshell-and-white class ! This was 

Miss Yeoman's " Mary II.," whose portrait 

appears on the foregoing page.

MY 

first prize-winning kitten was a brown 

tabby, exhibited many years ago at the 

Crystal Palace. He became my stud 

cat " Rajah," called after an Indian prince 

" " 

who was visiting us at that time. Rajah 

was wholly and devotedly attached to the 

lady of his " 

Mater." 

choice, namely, my blue 

These two names occur 

Persian 

in the 

pedigree of many a prize-winner of the present 

day, and very numerous were the lovely litters 

I reared from this eminently respectable pair 

of Persians. I never knew either " Rajah " or 

"Mater" troubled with a day's illness, and if 

one of their kittens had died such an event 

would have caused as much astonishment as 

grief. But I must return to my tabbies. 

I cannot explain it, but certain it is that 

of all the feline race (blues not excepted) the 

warmest corner in my heart has always been 

kept 

for the brown tabbies. There is some- 

21 = 

MISS SIMPSON'S BROWN TABBY " PERSIMMON. 

thing so comfortable and homely about 

these dear brownies they seem to have more 

intelligent and expressive countenances than 

any other cats, and I am firmly of opinion 

CHAPTER XIX. 

BROWN TABBY PERSIANS. 

that no Persian cats are so healthy and 

strong as brown tabbies. They are a hardy 

race, and as such I have frequently recommended 

novices in the fancy to start with a 

good brown queen, and with ordinary care they 

may reasonably expect to rear litter after 

litter without the difficulties and disasters that 

one hears of in connect on with the bringing 

up of Persian kittens in general. 

I know there is a kind of idea that brown 

tabbies are a common sort of cat, and this 

breed is often spoken of in a most dis- 

paraging way. Then, again, the ignorant in 

the cat world have an extraordinary notion 

that tabbies are always females ! 

Perhaps 

because we sometimes hear a meddlesome or 

gossiping woman called a "tabby" and I 

had a dear old friend who always bade me 

beware of " tabby bipeds " among catty com- 

munities ! 

The word "tabby" is supposed to have had 

its origin in a certain street in Bagdad called 

"Atab," which was chiefly inhabited by 

weavers of a particular kind of material called

2l6 THE BOOK OF THE CAT. 

" Atabi." This is what Harrison Weir says on 

" ' 

The word tabby ' 

the : subject was derived 

from a kind of taffeta, or ribbed silk, which 

tabbies the splashed or heavily marked, and 

the barred or ticked. I think the former the 

handsomer breed, with the well denned and 

when calendered, or what is now termed evenly balanced side markings, the dark spine 

' 

watered,' is by that process covered with line (not too wide), the clear rings round the 

wavy lines. This stuff in bygone times was chest (commonly called the " Lord Mayor's 

often called ' 

tabby,' hence the cat with lines chain or markings on its fur was called a tabby cat. 

Certain it is that the word 

"), the paws ringed in graduated bars to 

the foot. On the head and face the markings 

' 

tabby ' 

only should be very clear and distinct, the narrow 

referred to the marking or stripes, not to the dark head lines running symmetrically till 

absolute colour, for in 

'Wit and Drollery 'is 

the following : 

Her petticoat of satin, 

Her gown of crimson 

tabby. 

Be that as it may, 

I think there is little 

doubt that the fore- 

going was the origin 

of the term. Yet it 

was also called the 

brindled cat, or the \ 

tiger cat, and with V 

some the grey 

' 

graymalkin.' 

cat 

' We 

are told also by the 

same authority that 

tabby cats in Norfolk 

and Suffolk were 

called cyprus cats, 

MISS MELI.OK'S BROWN TABBY " LADY SHOLTO.' 

(Photo: N. N. Stat/iam, Matlock Bridge.) 

they join 

the broad 

spine-line. The ruff 

should be of the light 

shade, and ears of the 

same tone lend great 

distinction to this cat. 

As in the other tabby 

breeds, the browns are 

terribly addicted to 

white chins ; in fact, 

I think it is certainly 

rarer to find a brown 

tabby without this 

blemish than an 

orange, more pains 

having been taken to 

eradicate the evil in 

orange tabbies. There 

is no denying the fact 

that brown tabbies 

are a very neglected 

cyprus being a reddish-yellow colour, so that breed, and at present the only one, except 

the term may have applied to orange as well tortoiseshell - and - white, that is not taken 

as brown tabbies. The term " tiger cat " is, I up by a specialist society. This is a crying 

believe, often used in America, and it well shame, and it remains for some ardent admirer 

describes the true type of a brown tabby. The of the dear brown tabbies to form a club, 

groundwork should be of a bright tawny shade, and to try to breed really good specimens of 

with a dash of burnt sienna, the markings a the golden-brown order ; not the drab or grey 

dark seal brown almost black. As regards animals that are so frequently seen at our 

the colour of eyes in brown tabbies, I prefer shows, and which are very far removed from 

the golden or orange ; but some of the finest the genuine article. 

cats in this variety have possessed the green I do not think that any breed can produce 

eye, and some fanciers are disposed to prefer such fascinating kittens. They have such rethis 

colour, which I think should be the markably intelligent expressions, and, as a rule, 

speciality of the silvers. Anyhow, a good the sturdy cobby shape and broad heads of 

brilliant green is preferable to a washed-out brown tabbies are very conspicuous. This breed 

undecided yellow. should distinctly be massive in build, with 

There are two distinct types of brown plenty of bone and muscle ; in fact, with

BROWN TABBY PERSIANS. 217 

brown tabbies the larger the better, if well whether near or distant, this beautiful breed 

proportioned. With the sterner sex brown 

tabbies are decided favourites, and I cannot help 

will gain all the admiration and attention that 

it deserves. There is a distinct kind of brown 

noticing that the very few fanciers who have tabby, so called, which may better be detaken 

up this breed amongst the gentler sex scribed as sable. These cats have not the 

are what might be termed strong-minded. regular tabby markings, but the two colours 

I have also remarked that when once are blended one with another, the lighter sable 

fanciers start breeding brown tabbies they tone predominating. At the Crystal Palace 

continue, and this cannot be truly said of 

other breeds silvers, for instance ; but I would 

fain see a steady increase to the ranks of 

breeders of brown tabby Persians, and more 

encouragement given 

as matters now stand fanciers complain they 

"CHAMPION CRYSTAL. 

OWNCD BY C. H. JONES, PALMYRA, N.Y. 

at shows. I know that 

cannot get any market for their tabby kittens, 

and that classification is poor at shows and 

prizes scarce. It is all too true, but surely it is 

a " long lane that has no turning," and as every 

dog has its day, so perhaps in the future, 

Cat Show of 1902 the class was for brown 

tabby or sable. I was judging, and, considering 

the mixed entries, I felt that markings must 

not be of the first importance, and so awarded 

first and second to Miss Whitney's beautiful 

sable females, the third going to a well-marked 

though out of condition brown tabby. These 

sable-marked cats are rare, but still more beau- 

tiful would be a cat entirely of the one tawny 

" 

colour a self sable, without markings. The 

most suitable factors to obtain this colour,"


so writes Mrs. Balding, " would probably be 

tortoiseshell - and - sable tabby, as free from 

marking and as red in ground colour as 

possible. A cross of orange, bright coloured 

and as nearly as obtainable from unmarked 

ancestors, would be useful. Some nine years 

ago I purchased a dimly marked bright sable 

coloured cat, ' 

Molly,' shown by Mrs. Davies 

at the Crystal Palace, with a view to producing 

a self-coloured sable cat ; but ' 

Molly ' 

unfortunately 

died, and I abandoned the idea." The 

nearest approach to a self-sable I have ever 

come across was a cat I obtained for the 

Viscountess Esher, which had, alas ! been 

neutered. He was almost unmarked, and of 

the colour of Canadian sable, with golden eyes 

a most uncommon specimen. 

Another species is the spotted tabby, but I 

have never seen a true specimen in Persians. 

Some brown tabbies are ticked or spotted on 

the sides, but they have the spine line and 

ings on neck, head, and tail. 

A ROOM IN BKAYKOKT CATTERY. 

(Photo : W. Lawrence, Dublin.) 

Very few and far between have been good 

brown tabbies in the history of the fancy. 

Amongst the males two names may be said 

to stand out conspicuously Miss 

" " 

Birkdale Ruffie and my own 

Southam's 

" Persim- 

mon." Both these cats, of quite different types, 

have gone to their rest. 

As regards the famous Birkdale strain, the 

following account, kindly supplied to me by 

Miss Southam, will be of interest : 

" There is no doubt that, until quite recently, 

.our old friend the tabby has been deliberately 

placed in the background, and regarded in the 

show world with an indifference which has 

proved an unmistakable stumbling block to the 

improvement of this particular breed. 

" Nor is this very much to be wondered at, 

when we take into consideration the hideous 

combination of the drab, colourless browns, 

dowdy greys, and indistinct markings which 

had hitherto constituted the chief charms of 

the typical tabby. Instead, it would appear

that the commonplace and unattractive grey 

was openly encouraged, rather than otherwise ; 

for, although the silver tabby was provided 

with a classification of his own, only one class 

was relegated to " brown and grey tabbies," 

either colour being considered equally worthy 

of carrying off premier honours ! 

" It was at this period, when the nondescript 

tabby was reigning supreme, that Champion 

' 

Birkdale Ruffie ' 

made his debut in the show 

world, my sister, Miss Emily Southam, being 

the first to bring the sable tabby into prominence. 

\Yhether, however, it was that the 

public was not sufficiently up-to-date to appreciate 

the sudden departure from the usual 

sombre colours with which it had hitherto 

been satisfied to a brilliant sable, or whether 

he was particularly unfortunate in his choice 

of judges, it is difficult to say ; at any rate, it 

was not until four years after his first appearance 

in the show pen that he met with the 

justice that his many beautiful points so 

richly deserved. In fact, after exhibiting him 

at several shows, where he was deliberately 

passed over for other and most inferior cats, 

he being in the pink of condition, my sister 

was so annoyed at the treatment he received 

that she simply burnt the schedules which 

poured in upon her and kept him at home, 

determined he should not be further insulted 

by such flagrant injustice ! 

" It was at the \Yest of England Cat Show 

in 1894 that ' 


scored his first 

real success I believe under Mr. Gresham 

winning two first prizes in the open 

classes and two specials. Here at last his 

TABBY PERSIANS. 219 

and novice 

beautiful sable colouring, his dense black 

markings, and wonderfully expressive face 

were appreciated. 

'' 

The year 1896 was the occasion of his 

sensational win at the Crystal Palace show. 

He simply swept the board, carrying every- 

thing before him first prize, championship, 

several specials, and the special given by the 

King (then Prince of Wales) for the best 

rough-coated cat in the show, the prize being 

a handsomely framed portrait of the King 

with his autograph attached. Mrs. Vallance 

MISS WHITNEY AND HER NEUTER 

HROWN TABBY. 

(Photo : W. Lawrence, Dublin.) 

was judge. Again, in 1897, he was shown with 

great success at the Crystal Palace, winning 

first prize, championship, and special. 

" ' 

This was the occasion of 

Ruffie's ' 

Birkdale 

last appearance before the public, 

as it was during the following month my sister 

was taken dangerously ill, and for this reason 

his pen at the Brighton show was empty. 

After her death we determined to subject him 

no more to the trials and discomforts of the 

show pen, so ' 

Ruffie,' who was now seven 

years old and a great pet, both for his own 

sake and that of his mistress, only too gladly 

retired into the privacy of home life, spending 

the cold winters by the fireside in his own 

little snug retreat, and in the long summer days 

lying under his bower of shady hops, lazily 

watching his facsimile, his little son ' Master 

Ruffie,' growing up more beautiful each day 

and ready to take up the thread of his father's 

famous career in the exhibition world.

22O THE BOOK OF THE CAT. 

" ' 

Into the latter Master Ruffie ' 

made his 

debut without any of the numerous anxieties 

encountered by his celebrated parent. The 

way was paved for him, and when he appeared 

at the Crystal Palace show in 1899, in all the 

full glory of his youth and beauty, it was 

difficult for the judges to realise that it was 

not their old favourite who was now confront- 

ing them through 

" ' 

Master Ruffie ' 

the wires ! 

has only been shown on 

two occasions in 1897 as a kitten, and in 

1899 at the Crystal Palace, when he returned 

home with his box literally filled with cards, 

his winnings including three first prizes, four 

specials, and a championship. 

" 

I am sorry we can manage to get no really 

' 

good photo of Master Ruffie.' Time after 

time we have attempted it in studios, out of 

doors, by means of professionals and amateurs 

including many kind relatives and friends 

' 

Master 

with their ever-ready little Kodaks ! 

Ruffie ' 

steadfastly 

refuses to face the camera. 

Again and again the button is pressed in 

vain, and only the glimpse of a vanishing tail 

upon the negative 

is all we have to show as 

' 

Ruffle's ' 

portrait ! 

" 

But we have only to look at ' 

dale Ruffle's' picture, and we have ' 

Ruffie ' 

Birk- 

Master 

too ! The only difference between 

them is that the. latter is a very cobby 

little fellow, being perhaps 

shorter in the 

MISS WHITNEY'S " BKAYKOKT PRINCESS. 

(Photos: W.Lawrence, Dublin.) 

legs, which makes him appear to be a somewhat 

smaller cat than his father. In fact, at 

the Crystal Palace show he was pronounced 

by the judges to be perfect in every point. 

" ' 


was noted for the ex- 

treme beauty of his expression ; he had cer- 

tainly one of the most characteristic faces ever 

seen in a cat, and his son inherits the same. 

The former was constantly the subject of 

sketches in the illustrated papers, those by 

Mr. Louis Wain being especially lifelike. 

" ' 

Some of Master Ruffle's ' 

descendants are, 

I believe, in the possession of Miss Witney, 

and have met with great success in the show 

pen. 

" Our cattery is built on the principle of 

shepherds' huts, each house having a separate 

wire run, with shrubs planted, and a thick 

wall of ivy in the background, which gives a 

picturesque appearance to the whole of the 

little colony. In summer a mass of luxuriant 

hops 

sun. 

makes a welcome shade from the hot 

" 

The houses are warmed by gas stoves, on 

which the cats love to sit, purring contentedly, 

and with the pretty 

curtained windows, car- 

pets, 

wickerwork arm- 

chairs, and cosily cushioned 

benches, I think 

' 


and his 

seven feline playmates 

have a pretty easy time 

in this tempestuous 

world ! 

' 

The one bone of 

contention is that the cats have 

appropriated the sunniest corner 

of the garden, their houses 

having the much desired southern 

aspect, which our gardener 

looks at with longing eyes for 

his beloved peaches and early 

peas. Happily, he bears the 

little occupants no grudge, and 

when we go from home takes 

over the whole of the cattery 

into his charge."

BROWN TABBY PERSIANS. 

Here let me give a few details of my dear from the country to London obliged me to 

"Persimmon" was a well- board him out. 

departed puss. 

known character in the fancy, and had the "Persimmon" sired some splendid kittens, 

distinction of being a champion in the National which whenever shown proved themselves 

Cat Club and the Cat Club. It was in 1899 worthy of their sire's long prize - winning 

when, judging at Brighton, I was greatly taken record. At the Crystal Palace show of 1902 

with a wonderful-headed brown tabby that 

came under my awards. I gave him first 

in his class, and when later I obtained a 

" LOXSDALE CHRYSALIS AND " LONSDALE MOTH. 

catalogue and saw his price was a very reasonable 

one, I purchased him, and I may say 

I never made a 

the cat fancy. 

better bargain, 

" " 

Persimmon 

in or out of 

(as I afterwards 

called him, in memory of the Derby 

winner) was bred by Mr. Heslop, of Darlington, 

that astute and clever cat fancier and his 

; 

grandsire was 

" 

Brown Prince," a noted 

Northern prize-winning tabby. I have never 

seen such a wonderful head as that which 

made " Persimmon's " chief glory. 

His face was very round, and his nose 

quite a snub, and he was blessed with tiny 

ears and short tail. His shape was perfect, 

but the markings on his back were rather too 

and alas ! 

heavy, he had a white under-lip. 

But, taking him all round, he was a grand 

specimen, and a most lovable puss. He fretted 

himself to death when a change of residence 

BRED BY MRS. GREGORY. 

(Photo: W. G. Lai'is, Bath.) 

221 

Miss Whitney exhibited two of his progeny 

a superb neuter "Persimmon Laddie," 

who covered himself with glory and his 

cage with cards, and a beautiful kitten 

that had previously won at Manchester and 

has since been purchased at a high figure by 

a lover of the brownies. At the Specialist 

Show at Bath " 

in January, 1903, Persimmon 

Laddie " was again to the fore, and won in 

the open and ring classes. 

" " 

Persimmon was 

a great loss, for good brown tabbies are 

rare. I hope, however, to purchase a fine, 

well-grown son of my dear old " Simmy," and 

as "Persimmon II." I trust it may be a case 

of "like father like son," and that by-andby 

we may find quite a long list of brown 

tabby Persians " at stud " in the columns of 

the catty papers. 

I think I may with truth assert that brown 

tabbies arc more appreciated, 'and that better 

specimens are produced in the North than in 

the South of England. I have mentioned


MRS. D'ARCY HILDYARD'S " : 

SULPHURLAND. 

(Photo: BoxeH & Co., Scarboro'.) 

Mr. Heslop as having owned some splendid 

specimens, and at one time he used to exhibit 

quite a number at our Southern shows. Miss 

Eggett, of Manchester, has a grand tabby of 

the golden order named " Cleopatra." Mrs. 

Whittaker has some nice specimens, and 

Mrs. Mackenzie's "Cleo" was much admired 

at the Westminster show in 1900, when she 

took first in her class. Mrs. Ricketts has 

always been partial to the breed, and Mrs. 

Stead's " Timber " has done some winning. 

Miss Gray's " Lady Babbie " was one of the 

finest brown queens that used to visit " Per- 

simmon," and another was Miss Meeson's 

" Jolie," whom I used greatly to admire. 

Miss Derby Hyde exhibits a wonderful coppercoloured 

brown tabby called " Maraquetta," 

head and 

who, if only possessed of a good 

shorter face, would be a splendid specimen. 

Mrs. Davies formerly owned " Susan," a cat 

now in the possession of Mrs. G. Wilson, very 

good in colour and markings, but failing in 

head and face. 

a good male in 

Mr. Western, 

" 

Wynstay 

of Sandy, 

Monarch." 

has 

In 

the West of England Mrs. Hellings and Mrs. 

Gregory are 

tabbies. 

admirers and breeders of brown 

Mrs. Gregory, of Bath, started breeding 

brown tabbies in 1899. Her female (a black) 

she mated to her stud cat " Azor," and, 

curiously enough, all the litters have consisted 

of brown tabbies, the kittens numbering 

sixteen in all. When, how- 

" " 

ever, Queen Caterpillar 

was mated to Mrs. Gregory's 

blue Persian, her kittens were 

all black. 

A picture of two pretty 

brown tabby kittens bred by 

Mrs. Gregory appears in this 

chapter. I am happy to say 

that Mrs. Gregory intends 

to continue breeding brown 

tabbies, and has kept a 

handsome specimen from one 

of her recent litters to perpetuate 

the strain. Mrs. 

Drury, of Graffham, is very 

faithful to the brownies, and in her lovely 

old-fashioned cottage near Petworth she is 

always surrounded by several of her pet 

She writes as follows : 

pussies. 

" 

When first I received a margarine basket, 

and out of it came a little brown fluffy kitten, 

I knew no more about Persian cats than the 

man in the moon in fact, he probably knew 

more, as he is frequently the only witness to 

their nocturnal gambols. I had heard of such 

things as Persian cats, yet never remember 

having seen one. However, kind friends soon 

gave me a helping hand, and as time went on 

and my fluffy kitten became a fluffy cat, being 

I soon found out 

passionately fond of animals, 

the very fascinating ways of dear ' 

Miss Wiggs,' 

so named because the fur on her head in her 

kitten days would stand erect, and it is the 

only 

name she condescended to answer to. 

She has been and is so still, in spite of all her 

maternal cares and five years' experience 

one of the healthiest pussies imaginable, and 

has never had one day's illness since she came 

into my possession, though I believe, in her 

babyhood, distemper nearly carried her off ; 

and all her children have been equally healthy 

in fact, I have never lost one of her kittens, 

which is, I imagine, almost a unique experi- 

ence. 

" ' 

Miss Wiggs ' 

came from a blue father and 

a silver mother, but has, with one exception, 

always had brown babies, even when mated to

a silver. The varied beauties of blues, silvers, 

whites, and blacks have never taken such a hold 

upon me as compared with the fascination of 

the browns, and it is quite a wonder to me 

more fanciers do not breed them. Nothing 

looks handsomer, to my mind, than a rich brown, 

tabby male with tawny markings, like a young 

lion, and judging from my experience they 

amply repay any trouble taken by their loving 

ways and robust health. I have a son of 

' 

' 

Miss Wiggs and poor old ' 

Persimmon ' 

now, 

who follows me like a little dog, even out in the 

road, and goes for a walk running by my side. 

" Perhaps what would astonish a stranger 

most on coming to see me is the way my catty 

family lives in peace 

the dogs, and very often I find two or three 


and contentment with 

kittens in the dogs' basket very busily occupied 

cleaning my little bull-terrier. It is a point of 

honour amongst the happy family that they 

never touch each other's food, and very rarely 

is this broken, and not infrequently we see 

three, and perhaps four, cats sitting round the 

dog while he eats his dinner, waiting for any 

leavings, and the same with the dog. Persians 

have the reputation of being bad mousers. 

' 

Miss 

' 

Wiggs makes quite the exception, and 

on one occasion caught and killed two mice 

at the same time ; 

one she held 

in her paws and the other in 

her mouth. Young rats also 

she has many times brought in, 

to show what a useful little 

person she is, and her children 

follow in her footsteps. 

" In a great measure I at- 

tribute my brownies' good 

health to the open-air life they 

lead. From early morning to 

when darkness approaches they 

have the run of a large garden, 

even on a wet day. They go 

in and out of the houses as 

they like never ; 

sleep indoors, 

always in a very dry little outside 

cattery in summer on 

benches, and in winter in nice 

boxes with straw. 

" 

Perhaps, financially, blues or silvers may 

be greater successes, but brownies have been 

my first love and will always remain 

am only sorry I cannot show what a 

so. I 

lovely 

head and sweet face dear ' 

' 

Miss Wiggs has, but 

she absolutely declines to be photographed. 

" In time I hope more fanciers may realise 

how rich in colour and markings a good brown 

to see this 

tabby is, and then we may hope 

beautiful breed brought more to the fore at all 

the leading shows. 

" As ' 

Mis? Wiggs ' 

has been the foundress 

of my cattery, perhaps a short description of 

her would not be amiss. She is a ticked tabby 

that is to say, she has not the broad, dark 

stripes with tawny splashes ; 

her ground colour 

is a beautiful golden brown, and down the 

back and sides are pencilled stripes, more like 

the markings on a silver. Round her face, 

nose, and ears she has most lovely golden brown 

shades ; eyes are green they used to be 

amber ; her head is very broad and well shaped ; 

and her expression is very sweet. 

"When mated to a silver, as she has been 

twice, the litters have been equally divided 

two silvers and two brownies ; but both silvers 

and browns in that case had broad dark and 

light markings, in no way resembling the ticking 

' 

PIONEER BOBS. 

OWNED BY Miss M. WASHBURN, SMITH'S FALLS, ONT. 

(Photo: E. F. Briggs, Smith's Falls, Ont.)

224 THE BOOK OF THE CAT; 

of the mother. But when mated to poor old 

' 

Persimmon ' 

the kittens have been equally 

divided, always two resembling the maternal 

out ' 

side exactly, and two following Persimmon's 

' 

beautiful splashes. When mated 

to a brown tabby all the kittens were brown. 

She has never thrown a black ; but her 

daughter, whose father was ' 

and who I also mated to 

Abdul Zaphir,' 

' 

Persimmon,' had 

two blacks and two very dark tabbies in her 

litter. 

' 

has in all her five litters had 

Wiggs ' 

only two females. Her average is four or five . 

kittens ; 

she looks after them entirely herself, 

and has never been the worse for so doing ; 

but I do not allow her more than one family 

a year, and until the kittens can lap she is fed 

every two hours." 

The best-marked brown tabby I have ever 

seen was Lady Marcus Beresford's' 

" Bas- 

sorah," who was unfortunately given away 

and lost. Her markings looked like oil painting, 

they stood out in such distinct relief- 

Another specimen of a different type was 

imported by Lady Marcus Beresford, namely 

" Kismet." She was of the ticked order, with 

small pencilled markings, very compact and 

cobby in shape. Mrs. Herring has always 

possessed good brown tabbies. To begin with, 

" 

Adolphe," who used formerly to win everything 

till his " 

son, Prince Tawny Boy," 

stepped into his shoes, to be displaced later 

by his own son, " Prince Adolphe," and his 

" 

exquisite daughter, Floriana," now in 

America. Another good son of " Adolphe's " 

was Mrs. Bonar's " Lord Salisbury." To go 

back as far as I can recollect, there was Mr. 

Horrel's " Nero," and Mrs. Pearce's " Juliet " 

and " " 

Rosebud," also Miss Malony's Lindfields 

Lion " and the Hon. Mrs. McLaren 

Morrison's " Cetewayo " and " Mazawattee," 

this latter a really wonderful cat which was im- 

ported by Mrs. Davies at the same time as the 

celebrated " Nizam," and reported to be his 

brother. Anyway, he resembled him greatly 

in everything but colour. 

For sables we, of course, go to the Birkdale 

" 

strain. I remember the incomparable Birk- 

dale Ruffie " in his full glory at the Crystal 

Palace a mass of red-brown fur, of the style 

of "Persimmon Laddie," but with more dis- 

tinct markings and a very keen, almost fierce, 

expression ; in fact, he looked like a wild 

animal ! 

Then " Master Ruffie " appeared as a kitten, 

and later as a mild edition of his sire. From 

this celebrated strain Miss Whitney's lovely 

sables are descended. This enthusiastic fan- 

cier has kindly written some notes on her 

favourite breed. Her cats are all pets, and 

lead a life of luxury in their town and country 

houses on the other side of the Irish Channel. 

Miss Whitney says : 

" I am pleased to see that brown tabbies are 

coming to the front again, after long 

being such a 

time in the background. It now rests 

with fanciers of this charming variety of the 

feline species to improve them in all points. 

We hear often that they should be a rich tan 

in ground colour, clear and dense in markings, 

profuse in coat, ruff and frill, large round head, 

small ears, and no white lip. I should con- 

sider this a perfect specimen ; but where is such 

to be had ? I do not say it will not be obtained, 

but up to this I have never seen it. Now 

what we are to endeavour is to breed up to 

this high standard. This will take time, no 

doubt ; but, above all, do not let us give up 

everything for markings, though they are very 

essential. 

" My idea of a brown tabby is that it 

must be of a rich tawny ground colour. How 

could a brown tabby be called a brown if 

it is only a greyish drab ? I should prefer to do 

without such perfect markings, but to have 

the more desirable rich colour, and, above all, 

plenty of coat, ruff, and frill ; if it has not 

these latter qualities, it could not be called a 

Persian, which must have an abundance of 

fine soft-textured coat. If we only breed for 

marking, why 

not mate to a ' 

short-hair,' 

which is more likely to be perfect in that point ? 

But then, where would be our true Persian ? 

Now, as to white lip, 

I have never seen a good 

brown tabby without it, but I hear that there 

are such, though they fail in colour. I would 

prefer the well-coated cat with good colour

and markings and a white lip to one that 

failed in these other points 

white lip (I do not mean when it extends to a 

white throat). Now if we happen 


and had no 

to breed a 

and should 

good kitten without a white lip, 

strive to mate her to a really well-marked 

stud cat, even should he fail in colour per- 

haps we might get even one kitten nearly 

reaching perfection as the result. It would 

but 

reward the patience, expense, and time ; 

we need never expect a pro- 

coated cat to show as 

fusely 

distinct markings 

as an in- 

feriorly coated one will. I 

breed nothing but brown tab- 

bies, but cannot say I have yet 

obtained perfection. I have, 

however, secured coat and colour, and expect 

to attain the other desirable points in the near 

future, as we must all persevere, but always 

let us breed up to the standard of the true 

Persian. 

" I first became interested in cats by being 

given a nice brown tabby Persian kitten, which 

I called ' 

Ruffle,' and got very fond of him ; 

but as he seemed lonely I thought of getting 

another kitten as a companion for him, so I 

then purchased a pretty little silver tabby 

from Miss Cochran ; but after some time, of 

all the varieties I saw, none pleased me so well 

as the brown tabbies. This breed I have gone 

in for altogether during the past few years, and 

15 

. in 

I feel sure I shall remain faithful to them to 

the end of my career as a cat fancier. At 

present I have not a cat of any other colour 

my cattery. 

" I still have ' 

Ruffle,' who is now a very 

large neuter, splendidly marked, but perhaps 

not quite up to the standard in other 

points for the English show bench. 

' 

Bray- 

fort Fina ' 

" LOKNA DOONE." 

BUED BY MRS. ELLIS, TORONTO. 

is, I may say, a sable tabby, being 

particularly rich in colour all throughout 

indeed, more often of an auburn 

4an than brown. She is very 

profuse in coat, carrying a long 

body-coat and a big ruff and 

frill. She is a very large cat, 

with plenty of bone, and well 

made, with a fine-shaped head. 

She was once mistaken for a male by a well- 

' 

known judge. Fina ' 

was bred by Miss 

G. Southam, and is by 

' 


ex 

' 

Bluette,' her sire being a son of the famous 

' 

Champion Birkdale Ruffle.' 

" 

She was already a winner when I pur- 

chased her, and has since won many times, 

including second and special at Bristol, 1899, 

in a mixed sex class, being beaten by a male. 

At Belfast, in 1900 the following year she was 

beaten out of first by her sister, 

' 

Brayfort 

Princess.' She then took second at West- 

minster, 1902 ; first at Reading, and first 

and championship at the Crystal Palace, 1901 

and 1902. Again first at the Bath Specialist


Show in the same year, where her gorgeous late ' 

Champion Persimmon ' 

ex ' 

Fina.' He 

colouring was called in question and an un- won first and _ special at the kitten show in 

supported protest was made that she was dyed ! October, 1902, and first and two specials at 

She is a most successful breeding cat, her 

produce being usually winners. Her sister, 

' 

Brayfort Princess,' is also a sable tabby, and 

carries an immense coat, ruff, and frill ; it is 

denser than ' 

Fina's,' and I. fancy but for the 

latter ' 

Princess ' 

would have been more heard 

of as a winner, as, except on one or two occasions, 

she has been usually beaten by 'Fina.' 

" ' 

' 

' 

Brayfort Persimmon Laddie is by Champion 

Persimmon ' 

ex ' 

Brayfort Fina.' He made 

his public appearance at Bristol when he was 

four months old, taking first and special 

" BIRKDALE RUFFIE." 

(Photo : J. A. Kay, Soulhport.) ' 

in a 

tabby kitten class and third in novice, against 

an entry of twenty-five adults ; then he won 

first and special in kittens, and second in open 

to his mother's first at Belfast in 1900 ; also he 

took first and special for best long-haired 

neuter at Manchester in 1901 ; first, Liverpool ; 

and first and two specials at the Crystal Palace, 

1902. He is too well known to comment on. 

He is a wonderful sable colour, and is superb 

in coat. 

' 

is also by the 

Brayfort Sable Boy ' 

the Crystal Palace show, 1902 ; his wins speak 

to his merit. 

" I find all my cats very strong and healthy, 

and even in the coldest winter they never have 

artificial heat. I attribute having never lost 

a pet after a show to taking them away at 

night. Unless something very 

occurred, nothing would induce 

a cat of mine in a show. 

unforeseen 

me to leave 

I have found mating to a good brown 

tabby much the most successful. I tried 

mating to an orange, but did not like the 

results. I always mated to the late ' 

Cham- 

pion Persimmon,' and had never fewer than 

six kittens in a litter sometimes eight all 

strong and healthy. Twice only have I lost 

any, and on these occasions the fault lay with 

the foster mothers. 

" In the spring and summer my cats get 

a run out in the garden every day; the two 

neuters go on leads, but the females have 

their liberty ; indeed, unless I were present

would not leave the house. Their 

' 

Fina ' 

rooms look out on the grass terrace, so they 

can come in or out as they please till their 

breakfast time, which is at about ten o'clock. 

They are groomed every morning between 

8 and 8.30 o'clock, winter and summer, 

and always fed regularly. Their sleeping 

houses, as in photo, are about four feet long, 

lined round with oilcloth, so they can be 

washed when necessary. In the winter the 

bedding is hay, and in summer, shavings. The 

houses are sufficiently long to allow for sanitary 

boxes during the breeding time. I find Hall's 

washable distemper very nice for the cattery 

walls, and it looks so bright and fresh. The 

floor-covering is linoleum." 

In America brown tabbies are beginning to 

find favour, and several good specimens have 

" 

been exported. Arlington Hercules," who 

took first at Westminster in 1901, was shipped 

to Mrs. Sarmiento and Mrs. Cutler, and I sent a 

"Persimmon" kitten out by Mrs. Robert Locke 

to Mrs. Clinton Locke, the president of the 

Beresford Club. He was passed on to her 

honorary secretary, and in Field and Fancy of 

December, 1902, the following notice appears : 


" 

Miss Lucy Johnstone is the fortunate owner 

of 

' 

Persimmon Squirrel,' a son of the noted 

brown tabby ' 

Persimmon,' who lately died. 

Good brown tabbies are very scarce, and she 

should congratulate herself on this possession, 

as, according to all accounts, he is destined to 

make a good hit." 

Another American lady, Mrs. Gotwalts, of 

Pittsburg, wrote to me for a brownie, and 

I sent her one bred by Mrs. Bignell, and 

the cat has, I believe, had some good litters. 

The most famous brown tabby, however, over 

the herring pond was Mr. E. N. Barker's won- 

derful " King Humbert." This cat arrived 

in America in 1885, and made a considerable 

stir in catty circles. Mr. Barker is said to 

have refused a thousand dollars for him from 

a New York millionaire. I remember when 

Mr. Barker was over, acting as judge at the 

Westminster Cat show, he sought, but did 

not find anything to beat his noted brown 

tabby now gone to its last home. Mr. Barker, 

writing of this breed, says : 

"If I were asked suddenly why I admire 

brown tabby Persians, the liking must 

be partly attributed to face markings and 

BIKKDALE RUFFIE S " CATTERY.


colour, and to one who grows accustomed to 

these they are fascinating and add to the 

general beauty of the cat, and seem natural and 

as though they ought to be there, and one is 

not so overweighted with a sense of continual 

sameness as may be apparent in a whole colour. 

I must confess, personally speaking, I have 

become used to bars and stripes. I miss them 

when I contemplate a self-coloured Persian. 

" 

I once had a good many brown tabby 

Persians, and people did not fancy them, 

as they said, 'They are so like ordinary 

cats ' 

a great mistake ; but by gentle 

persuasion I managed to get 

one or two 

adopted. One lady some time afterwards 

candidly confessed, ' 

fied with any other kind, 

I could not now be satis- 

I should miss the 

stripes so much on the face.' That is just it ; 

in a tabby you have a little more than your 

neighbours, who go in for self-coloured cats, 

and, though for the time being they are not 

quite so fashionable, you can chuckle to your- 

self if you own one, and feel quietly superior 

to fashion and the common herd, and hold your 

tabby still closer to your heart, and purr 

softly to yourself with 'satisfaction at its 

possession ; for I think one may say 

that for 

good all-round, everyday, reliable qualities, 

the brown tabby stands pre-eminent. 

" His constitut'on being good, he is not 

peevish ; he stands cold and heat, change 

of climate and surroundings, better on an 

average than any. Brown tabbies should have 

the under-coat a good golden hue, the markings 

black, clear, and distinct, rather too many 

than too few. A good-shaped body, lots of 

bone, a bold head, red nose, golden eyes, well 

marked on the chest, and no light colour on 

the lips and chin. These cats may with 

advantage be a good size. With care, the 

under colour may be bred to a grand copper 

colour ; a grey hue in brown tabbies is most 

undesirable." 

As regards brown tabbies in America, " King 

Humbert " and his children have always held 

their own. 

" Humbert " was bred in England, 

and as he is now dead I may be allowed to say 

that when fit and in good condition a better- 

coloured and smarter show cat never stood in 

a pen or outside, and he loved to show himseli 

off. The best kitten bred from him was 

" Jasper." He was very short in leg, and 

quite lost in coat, his feet being hardly visible." 

To the readers of that very excellent 

American 

handsome 

publication 

portrait of 

The Cat Journal the 

" Crystal," the brown 

tabby, is very familiar. The C. H. Jones, writes thus 

editor, 

'" 

to me : I 

Mr. 

am 

sending you some pictures as promised. The 

large photo is 

' 

Champion Crystal,' son of 

' 

Humbert,' a beautiful cat as to type and 

disposition. A peculiar thing about ' 

Crys- 

tal's ' 

kittens is that they do not show very 

long hair till they are several months old." 

And now a few remarks as regards the 

mating 

of brown tabbies. I have tried 

several experiments, but if I were wishing 

to breed fine specimens I should continue 

to mate brown tabbies with brown tab- 

bies. Such mating frequently results in a 

black or two, and these are generally good 

ones. The orange cross is sometimes success- 

ful in introducing a brighter tone, but I confess 

I have not had very good results from these 

attempts. I have on several occasions mated 

blues to my brown tabby stud, and although 

blue tabbies have appeared in the litters, I have 

also obtained blues with very grand heads, 

plenty of bone, and massive build. My famous 

" Beauty Boy," a well-known winner and sire 

of bygone days, was bred from " Rajah " (a 

brown) and "Mater" (a blue). I have been 

told by silver breeders that a brown tabby cross 

with chinchillas has often proved advantageous. 

It might be imagined that the silvers would 

be tinged with brown or streaked, but I have 

been assured this is by no means usual, and 

that the litters consist of good brown tabbies 

and equally pure silvers. 

A well-known breeder of silvers : says 

" 

Although it may be incorrect to cross silvers 

and browns, it is often most successful. My 

first torn was a brown tabby with a white 

chin, and being mated with a silver queen the 

kittens were good browns and exquisite silvers, 

and there were lots of winners amongst them.

Many of the silvers were very pure in colour, 

with lovely markings. My old 

' 

Climax,' 

whose pedigree was pure silver (' Topso ' 


and 

' 

Lady Pink '), was the sire of the noted 

brown tabby ' 

Birkdale Ruffie.' ' 

Before closing my article, 

that the brown tabby and sable, though often 

I would remark 

classed together, must not be confounded. 

to be the common 

The brown tabby is supposed 

ancestor of all our cats, and hence the tendency 

to revert to that colour, as in the case of the 

blue Rock pigeon. This being the case, 

surely we should have brown tabby cats 

more nearly approaching perfection than any 

other colour. They appear in very unex- 

pected places in a litter of chinchillas or 

blacks, or among our oranges, and sometimes 

where no brown ancestor can be traced. In 

the brown tabby there seems to be little or no 

inclination to lose the markings, as in other 

tabbies ; 

rather the contrary, for they overdo 

themselves sometimes, and form into solid 

black patches, thus causing the dark saddle, 

which is a serious fault in this breed. Query : 

Would generations of in-breeding produce a 

self brown, as with oranges and chinchillas ? 

I rather doubt it, as I think the common 

ancestor would, so to speak, " chip in " and 

assert himself. 

As regards the sables, I may remark 

that they are late in maturing and do not 

acquire their marvellous colouring till about 

the second year. Anyway, they rarely make 

a sensation on their first appearance. As I 

write I am thinking of " Persimmon Laddie," 

who seems to have developed his glorious 

copper coat in the course of a year, and when 

seen at the Crystal Palace show of 1902 was 

a"s near perfection in the matter of colouring 

as could be desired. I hope that in time this 

breed of Persians may find more admirers, and 

that with patience and perseverance a really 

good strain of grand-coloured, dark-chinned, 

and above all splendidly marked brown tabby 

cats may be seen at our shows. 

In America, as will be seen from the follow- 

ing extract from Field and Fancy, the brownies 

are making good headway : 

15* 

BROWN TABBIES IN AMERICA. 

The brown tabby cat, whose fate seemed to hang in 

the balance for some time, is now, in America, on the 

road to social prominence, and daily we hear of the 

progress of the breed, so that the classes next winter 

seem to promise greater results than ever. From all 

over we hear of brown tabbies being bred and reared, 

and, what is more, finding homes at remunerative 

prices. In looking at the reasons for the popularity 

of the browns we do not have far to seek, for when 

once well tried, these cats wheedle their way into your 

affections by the strength and vitality they display, 

as a rule ; 

BROWN TABBY GOOXIE. 

and the general average being level in their 

temper, with plenty of common sense, as well as bold, 

lovable cats, are very satisfactory to deal with. 

Besides these attributes, when bred properly, their 

colour is most fascinating, and has a faculty of growing 

upon one, and weaker colours seem tame by 

comparison. 

So far as we can say, that as regards the brown 

tabbies, the whites and orange, there have been more 

concentrated efforts to breed good ones by design 

than in any of the colours, though the silver breeders 

are now coming up. 

Taking a general look at our cats of this colour, we 

have little to be ashamed of, and the stock is good 

enough to make the nucleus of a fine lot of show cats, 

for they inherit their goodness from several genera- 

tions of the colour, which is much to the point. 

Our breeders will find that to breed good tabbies 

they will have to keep to blood lines, select the best-


marked ones, and not switch about in search of 

all sorts of blood crosses ; for the way to breed tabbies 

is to keep to the colour and get the marks, which too 

many crosses with solid-coloured cats are liable to 

spoil. After a time the purely bred and carefully 

bred strains will stand out and perpetuate themselves, 

and the chance-breds will go to the wall. 

It has been surmised that the reason why the 

browns are so hardy is that possibly they more 

nearly approach 

the natural colour of cats in a wild 

state, and are perhaps not quite so artificial ; but 

the number that will be bred of superlative colouring 

to fill the standard from a show point of view will 

never be too numerous to command high prices, and 

the greater the competition the greater the value of 

the variety, as we see in our dogs. For it is in the 

popular breeds that the prices rule the highest, and 

the scarce ones seldom realise the same figures, 

because there is not the same keen competition to 

get the best. 

When we look back we can call to mind quite a 

few good brown tabbies in the last seven years, and 

not very many bad ones, and for uniform quality our 

browns have been the equal of any colour. 

Breeders should be careful to select those with the 

brown or red body colour, and with the stripes as dis- 

tinct as possible. In our own experience with the 

colour we have found three varieties, and these are 

best described as they appear at birth. No. i is 

A TRIO OF TABBIES. 

(Photo: C. ReiJ, Wishaw.) 

the cat with a narrow band down the centre of the 

back, and thin, narrow lines radiating therefrom. 

These marks may be very distinct when the cat is 

young, but are not strong enough for a long-haired 

cat, and the marks are lost when the coat grows. 

Though these cats are not the best of exhibition cats, 

they are very useful to breed to those too heavily 

marked. No. 2 is the cat that is heavily marked and 

carries too much black, and is often too grey in his 

body colour, but these, by being carefully 

bred to 

other colours, may throw the desired cat ; or No. 3, 

the cat with the orange body colour and the distinct 

black marks covering about a third of the surface 

of the cat. This latter we hope to see in greater 

numbers now that an organised effort is being made 

to breed the colour true. 

A great many of our browns are clear of one great 

fault, which is the light chin and throat, and it is 

to be hoped that this will be continued. 

Another fault that wants improving, and which is 

the prevailing fault in one of our prominent strains, 

is a rather sour green eye, and this has been the cause 

of some of them having to take a back seat on occa- 

sions. Last yeSar was fortunately a great educator 

for some of our best breeders, and they are now 

experimenting along the right lines, and are aware, 

when they lose, why it is so. As the years roll on 

those who do learn will not expect to win over better 

cats just because they think they ought.

IN the early days of the fancy all sorts 

conditions of cats were entered in 

and 

this 

class. Blacks, whites, and tabbies were 

considered important enough to have classes 

assigned to them ; 

then the rest were all huddled 

and muddled together in the "any other vari- 

ety " class. Even in these days it is no easy 

matter to place the awards in a mixed class ; 

but formerly the judge must have felt puzzled 

over the prizes, and probably finally gave the 

highest awards to the breed of cat which he 

most admired. I do not mean anything per- 

sonal ; but, as I write, I recollect a very large 

class in 1887 at the Crystal Palace, two years 

before a class for blues was instituted. Mr. 

A. A. Clarke was judging, and a female blue, 

" Fanny," which I had given to Mrs. W. M. 

Hunt as a birthday present, was awarded first. 

She was a beautiful specimen, and but for her 

green eyes would have been a remarkable cat 

even in these up-to-date days of the fancy. 

Whereas, therefore, for many years this " any 

other variety " class was the largest in the 

show, it has gradually become beautifully less 

231 

A PICTURESQUE GKOUP. 


CHAPTER XX. 

ANY OTHER COLOUR " PERSIANS. 

and rightly so, for by degrees the various 

breeds have been improved, and the number 

of specimens have increased, and the executives 

of shows have gone with the times and 

provided separate classes for each breed as 

occasion seemed to arise. So orange and cream 

cats are no longer relegated to what we now 

call the " any other colour " class, and tortoise- 

shells and tortoiseshell-and-whites are sepa- 

rately dealt with ; therefore it is only tabby- 

and-whites, nondescript smokes, blue tabbies, 

and black-and-whites that are received into 

the fold of the somewhat despised " any other 

colour " class. Blues and blacks with white 

spots used to be entered in this class, but of 

recent years both cat clubs have wisely decided 

that such cats must be entered in their own 

classes, for a blue is a blue and a black a black, 

and having a blemish does not alter their 

breed, but takes so many points away from 

them ; and, of course, their chances of success 

even with every other quality is small indeed 

when in competition with pure self-coloured 

cats.


A GROTESQUELY MARKED KITTEN. 


I am of opinion that ere long the " any other 

colour " class, at least at our principal shows, 

will cease to exist, and mismarked cats, whitespotted 

cats, and doubtful smokes will no 

longer be considered worth entering, and fan- 

'ciers owning such specimens will make up their 

minds to keep their pets at home. 

For instance, Mrs. Boutcher, a silver 

breeder, owned a magnificent cat, a son of 

" Lord Argent." He was a superbly shaped 

and grandly coated animal, and was neither 

a silver nor a smoke in fact, what might be 

termed a silver smoke. His face was dark, 

and tail and paws, and his body was a pale 

silver-grey, shaded to almost white at the 

roots. His owner entered him in the " any 

other colour " class one year, and he was 

disqualified by the judge ; then he was next 

located in the smoke class, but as a different 

judge was making the awards he was again 

marked " wrong class." This noble " Lord 

Sylvester " was the cause of much correspondence 

in the cat papers, and discussion ran high 

as to what manner of cat he was. One of our 

ablest judges now, alas ! no longer in our 

midst wrote thus in Our Cats of December 

1900 : 

SIR, In your issue of the 24th I notice at the 

meeting of the Silver Society Mr. Boutcher asked the 

opinion re the decision of myself at the Palace as 

against that of Mr. House at Brighton. In defence 

of my own award, I unhesitatingly say that, in 

the same classification as at the Palace, " Lord 

Sylvester's" class was the A.O.C., in which I 

fearlessly awarded him first prize. Of course, Mr. 

House has just as much right to his opinion as I have 

to mine ; but, whether right or wrong, / do know 

" Lord Sylvester " is not a smoke, both on my own 

knowledge of colour and of that set forth in the 

standards. I am, yours truly, E. WELBURN. 

this is the common-sense view to 

Surely 

take. A year later " " 

Lord Sylvester was 

purchased by Mrs. Champion, and travelled 

out with her to America, where, no doubt, this 

splendid 

animal receives all the admiration he 

deserves, in whatever class he is entered on 

the other side of the herring pond. 

Since writing these lines I have read an 

article in Field and Fancy on the New York 

Cat Show of January, 1903, and the following 

" ' 

' 

In the other colour 

mention is made : 

' 

Lord 

' 

Sylvester 

any 

was to the front, looking 

splendid." 

As regards the advisability of doing away 

with the " any other colour " class, I will quote 

from a 

fancier 

letter written by that well-known 

" 

Mr. W. R. Hawkins : Why should 

one class in a show be given up to the bad 

or mismarked cats of each colour ? 

specimens 

Surely the intended use of the 

' 

any other 

colour ' 

class was that when any definite colour 

had no class of its own it should not be ex- 

cluded from the show, but take refuge in the 

other colour ' 

class ; for instance, at 

' 

any 

the Brighton show (1900) we had no class for 

cream, orange, or tortoiseshell. They were, 

therefore, shown in the ' 

any 


class, and being good cats of definite breeds 

were a credit to the class, and in no way a disgrace. 

But what do we often see ? A blue 

with a white spot or some other freak winning. 

I say this is absolutely wrong, and that a blue 

with a white spot is in reality a bad blue, and

should not be encouraged. 

OTHER COLOUR" PERSIANS. 233 

In the same way, 

a tabby-and-white is a bad tabby, and ought 

not to go to a show at all, but even if shown 

has no right in the ' 

any 


class, 

according to my ideas." 

There is one cat that is fast vanishing from 

our midst. I mean the black - and - white 

Persian, and yet I confess an evenly marked 

specimen is a handsome animal. By black and 

white I mean the ground should be black, 

dense and glossy ; the feet, chest, and nose 

white, with a blaze of white coming to a point 

up the centre of the face. The eyes of such a 

cat should be orange. 

Another type is the white-and-black cat, but 

unless the black patches are evenly balanced, 

especially in the face, the effect is not pleasing 

(see illustration, page 232). Harrison Weir 

gives particulars of some curiously marked 

cats coming under his notice 

" 

one entirely 

white with black ears ; another white with a 

black tail only ; another had the two front 

feet black, all else being white." 

I cannot say I have any leaning towards 

tabby-and-white cats, or orange-and-white, 

these being the least attractive of any in the 

fancy. 

Blue-and-whites are seldom seen, but 

the photos on pp. 234-5 represent some sweetly 

pretty kittens of this variety. Their sire was 

' 

Yani," a noted blue owned by Miss E. God- 

dard, and their mother a black-and-white. Blue 

tabbies, so common fifteen or twenty years ago, 

are no longer to be seen, at least only here and 

there at shows, and they have really no value 

beyond being pretty pets. A cat that has done 

some winning and has sired some lovely kittens, 

but must, strictly speaking, be considered an 

"any other colour" cat, is "Blue Robin," 

formerly the property of Miss H. Cochran, and 

now in the possession of Mr. C. W. Witt. This 

is a blue cat with a tabby-marked head. He 

was bred from blues and silvers, and his chin, 

ear tufts, and eyebrows are silver, and his 

nose pink. As will be seen from his picture, 

on page 236, he has a grand head and beautiful 

expression. I am indebted to Miss Hester 

Cochran for the following notes on " any 

other coloured " cats : 

" 

The cats known as 

' 

A.O.C.'s ' 

or ' 

any 

other colour,' because they are of a colour 

for which no class is provided, are hard to 

write about, because they have no history. 

They are not bred from A.O.C.'s, and A.O.C.'s 

are not bred from them. They are either 

pedigreeless or, more commonly, the result of 

indiscreet crossing of two definite colours, as, 

for example, when the owner of a white queen 

wishes to breed a litter of blue kittens. More 

rarely they result from a cross which' has been 

resorte4 to to fix some special point, as when a 

white and a blue with particularly massive 

heads or wonderful orange eyes have been 

mated with a view to producing a strain noted 

for their eyes. Years ago the classes were 

interesting, as they introduced all new colours. 

" I remember an A.O.C. class at the Crystal 

Palace not many years ago containing seven 

entries, all good smokes ; soon after smoke 

classes were given, and then chinchillas 

began to appear 

in this class. These cats 

being specially provided for, creams were the 

most noticeable A.O.C.'s ; but now the blue 

tabbies and broken-coloured cats that is, 

some colour and 

" LOCKHAVKN COLBUKN.' 1 

white usually 

occupy theA.O.C. 

class. Notable 

instances of cats 

A GOOD EXAMPLE OF PERFECT BLACK-AND-WHITE MARKINGS. 

(Photo : Koehne & Bretsinan, Chicago.)


with white spots were 'Cain,' 'Nankipoo,' and 

' 

Kingfisher,' all grand blues with this blemish. 

" 

In 1892 Mrs. Pattison's exquisitely shaped 

' 

and coated orange-and-white Chicot ' 

(pedigreeless), 

then shown as tabby with or without 

white, established a record by winning as best 

in show at the Crystal Palace. Other tabby - 

and-white cats have done well. 

Miss Malony used to show some 

Lindfield 

good ones ; the best, ' 

Sweet William,' was a blue tabbyand 

- white, very massive and 

heavily coated, son of the smoke 

' 

Lindfield Bogie.' Mrs. Pearce, 

of New Barnet, also used to win 

with tabby-and-white cats, and 

Mr. Law's ' 

Buffer ' 

was a celebrity 

in his day, but whether 

he was a brown tabby or an 

A.O.C. is doubtful ; he was later 

known as 'Leopold.' The Hon. 

Mrs. McLaren Morrison had a 

really good silver tabby with 

white feet in 

' 

Kepwick Silver 

King ' 

; and later Miss Snell's 

grand-headed 'Wonderland' 

made a small sensation. 

" Another good cat which won 

in an A.O.C. class is Lady Mait- 

land's ' 

Cheeky Blue,' a lovely 

blue with a sprinkling of white 

hairs on her body. Blue and smoke tortoise- 

shells are freaks, and not really exhibition 

cats at all, but are by some people considered 

useful for breeding. Personally, I do not 

think they are capable of producing anything 

which a definitely coloured cat of proper 

ancestry cannot produce as well or better. 

When cream queens were unavailable they had 

to be used, but now they are becoming un- 

necessary. Perhaps 

the best is Miss W. Beal's 

' 

' 

R. Fluffie.' Mrs. D'Arcy Hildyard's 

of the Durhams ' 

' 

Tawney ' 

began 

Sengo 

was another. Miss Taylor's 

life as a blue with a few 

yellow marks, and wound up as a good tor- 

toiseshell, though a trifle too red. Mrs. 

Cunliffe Lee's 'Tiger,' a kind of yellow-brown, 

more ticked than marked, and principally dis- 

THE CONQUEST OF THE AIR. 

(Photo : E. Lamior, Baling.) 

tinguished by his great coat, made his mark 

in the A.O.C. classes. 

" Of blue tabby cats which have won well 

(mostly bred from blues and silver tabbies) 

there is a long list. They became common 

through the craze for blues, as silver queens 

were sent to blue toms. Later the desire for 

chinchillas started them afresh, 

as blue queens were sent to chin- 

chilla toms. 

" Mrs. Herring's 'Braemar' was 

a son of ' 

Cceruleus ' 

by ' 

Turko ' 

; 

' 

Upwood Dew ' 

and ' 

Camera ' 

are from the ' 

Timkins ' 

strain ; 

Miss 

' 

Jebb's Julius Caesar,' Miss 

Rae's 'Romanoff,' Miss Nicholay's 

' 

' 

Sacho,' and Miss Jay's 

wood Skittles ' 

Holm- 

were all celebrated 

cats. Some of these have thrown 

beautiful kittens, both blues and 

chinchillas ; and as a makeshift, 

when a correctly coloured cat of 

the required pedigree is unavail- 

able, they may, when judiciously 

mated, be found useful ; but good 

breeders will part with all mismarked 

kittens for pets. The 

best and most definitely coloured 

A.O.C. I ever saw was Mrs. 

Davies' 

' 

Sin Li,' a deep self- 

coloured chocolate - brown cat. 

He was supposed to be one of three Swiss 

mountain cats imported to this country, and 

he was a most handsome and interesting 

animal. Unfortunately, he died young, leaving 

no progeny. Another interesting A.O.C. cat 

I have seen was a short-haired neuter, red, 

with black stripes and white paws and chest. 

In the future I hope to see a variety of strange 

cats in the A.O.C. classes, but at present they 

are very uninteresting. Good suggestions for 

future colours are red, orange, blue, or white 

with black stripes, chestnut-brown self- 

coloured, and black with white tips to the fur. 

So far as I can see, it should be possible by 

crossing with various foreign breeds to produce 

in a few years' time cats of all these colours." 

One of the finest " any other colour " cats

CO 

2 

33 

w 

Q 

Z 

w 

o 

2 

O 

Q 

2 

03 

K 

U

of the present day is now in the possession of 

" " 

of Ilfracombe. Cinder was 

Miss Moxon, 

purchased from Mrs. Davies, who has a rare 

faculty of picking up uncommon-looking cats. 

" 

Miss Moxon writes : I am sending you a 

detailed description of 

"ANY OTHER COLOUR" PERSIANS. 235 

' 

Cinder,' who is a 

difficult cat to describe, and is quite the hand- 

somest cat I have ever seen. By ' 

handsome ' 

I mean striking, as she attracts everyone's 

attention, and very often visitors to our well- 

filled cattery have not a glance to spare for 

our other specimens." The following is the 

description of this very uncommon long-haired 

cat : 

" ' 

Tors Side Cinder,' winner of many prizes, 

including second Brighton A.O.C. kitten class, 

1899 ; 

first A.O.C. kitten, medal, and two 

specials, Westminster, 1900 ; first and special 

for best cat in show, Maidstone, etc. 

" ' 

Cinder ' 

was described to me by the 

lady from whom I bought her in 1901 

as ' 

very peculiar colour a kind of tortoiseshell 

creamy smoke.' She has a dark seal-brown 

mask and ears, except for one creamy orange 

(tortoiseshell) splash above left eye, and 

another under chin. These give great expres- 

GRACE BEFORE MEAT. 

: (Photo E. Lamtor, Eating.) 

a 

" MARCUS SUPERBUS," A SILVER SMOKE. 

OWNED BY Miss SHAW. 

(Photo : Mo/at, Edinburgh.) 

sion to her face. Head exceptionally fine, 

considerable breadth of skull, small tufted 

ears, short broad face, very sweet expression. 

Round orange eyes, for which she has won 

more than one special. Fine outstanding frill 

of a creamy smoke colour ; fur on 

chest very long and feathery, of a 

creamy, bluish smoke shade, with a 

pale cream knot in centre. Seal spine 

line, splashed with creamy brown, 

shading gradually lighter to shoulder 

knots and side puffs, which are of a 

rather darker tint than the frill. 

Paws and legs of a dark seal-brown ; 

waistcoat and knickers of a bluish 

cream. Splendid thick brush upperside 

to match spine line, under-side of 

a bluish cream shade. Slightly bluish 

tint all over, distinct under-coat of 

palest cream shading to soft creamy 

blue." 

American fanciers have always shown 

a partiality for broken-coloured cats, 

and orange-and-white and blue-and- 

white cats have classifications given 

for them at the leading shows. In 

England there is a marked antipathy


to these cats, chiefly because they have little 

or no value for breeding, though they un- 

doubtedly make pretty pets. As a sign of the 

times, I may mention that at the Westminster 

show in 1903 the three " " 

any other colour 

classes for males, females, and kittens had 

to be cancelled, no entries having been made. 

" BLUE ROBIN." 

(Photo: Witcomb & Son, Salisbury.) 

Speculative, but, I must add, persevering 

fanciers might derive interest and amusement 

from trying to breed out - of - the - common 

specimens. A black-and-white, spotted like 

a Dalmatian hound, or a cat marked with 

zebra stripes, could doubtless be produced in 

time by careful and judicious selection.

MISS KIRKPATKICK S 

" CHILI." 

(Photo: E. LanJor, Ealing.) 

T has been my experience 

in the 

that 

past 

the 

year or two 

demand for 

neuter cats, or, in other 

words, household 

pet pussies, 

is on 

the increase ; and 

I am inclined to believe 

that if some 

fanciers made a 

speciality of these 

cats they might do 

a thriving trade. 

As it is, owners of 

male kittens do not 

care to undertake 

the trouble and responsibility of having them 

gelded, or doctored, as this process is sometimes 

called, and novices in purchasing are 

always very anxious that the operation should 

have taken place before they become possessed 

of their pets. A selling class for neuters at 

our large shows would not be at all a bad idea, 

but the age should be limited to eight months, 

or at most ten months, as it is only natural 

that purchasers should desire pussies before 

they reach the prime of life, so that they may 

grow up as pets 

in the home. For reasons 

that are easily understood, it is necessary, if 

you wish to have a house pet of unimpeachable 

manners, to have your male cat doctored 

when he arrives at years of discretion. 

For my own part I consider between five 

and eight months the best time for a cat to 

be gelded, but I have often known successful 

237 

CHAPTER XXI. 

NEUTER CATS. 

operations taking place much later. It is. 

however, most important that the torn should 

not previously have shown any desire to 

mate. In all cases a cat should be kept 

on low plain diet for two or three days 

before being neutered, and it is more humane 

to pay 

aesthetic. 

the extra fee for the use of an an- 

I have been told on good authority that if 

a female cat is to be made neuter she ought 

to be allowed to have one litter before the 

operation is performed. Neuter cats are 

essentially for the " one cat " person. They 

undoubtedly make a hibited, but those 

grand show when ex- 

who are possessed of 

these pet pussies are generally very dis- 

inclined to let them run the risks and dis- 

comforts of a show pen. I have advocated 

on the 

having neuters shown only in the ring, 

lead. If this course were adopted, I think 

" KING CY." 

SILVER NEUTER BELONGING TO Miss AVERY JONES. 

: (Photo F. Bromhead, Ciijton.)

23S THE BOOK OF THE CAT. 

owners would not mind exhibiting their 

precious cats, as they could be sent or taken 

home after their turn round. Certainly neuters 

are the only cats that ought 

to be led into the 

ring, and in this way their fine proportions 

and generally heavy coats can be seen and 

judged to the best advantage. It is too often 

a practice with fanciers to have the worst of 

the litter kept for a pet and made neuter, and 

therefore we see many blues with light green 

eyes, and cats with the blemish of a white 

spot, in the classes set apart for gelded cats ; 

and if a beautiful, almost perfect, neuter is 

exhibited, fanciers are apt to protest at what 

they consider is " a grave mistake." From 

the lips of some noted and over-wrought 

breeders of Persian cats I have heard the ex- 

clamation, " I shall go in for neuters only ! 

This has been called forth, perhaps, by a 

succession of failing litters or by a rampageous 

stud cat that 

has fought 

with the 

neighbour's 

torn or has 

MISS CHAMBERLAYNK S " BELVEDERE TIGER. 

(Photo : J. A tkins, Upper Norwood.) 

wandered off on amorous thoughts intent, 

perhaps never to return, or on returning to 

bring disease to the cattery. Certainly, for 

a thoroughly comfortable domestic pet there 

are more 

is nothing like a neuter cat. They 

affectionate, and with children more docile, not 

" 

less keen in catching rats and mice, and they 

are proverbially very clean in their habits. One 

great advantage 

that neuters have over the 

other long-haired breeds is that they retain 

their lovely coats nearly all the year round. 

In spite, however, of the many points in favour 

of neuter cats, they are nevertheless rather 

looked down upon in the fancy. Certainly, at 

our shows no cats are more attractive to visitors 

than the big burly neuters, and I would fain 

see a better classification for these really fine 

animals. 

A specialist society was started in 10,01 by 

an admirer of these cats, but either through 

lack of energy or want of enthusiasm the work 

was not carried on, and the club died a natural 

death. It remains for some other fancier with 

a love for pet pussies to start a society, for 

as it is the neuters fare badly at our shows, 

the classes provided never numbering more 

than two, and the special prizes being few and 

far between. Formerly neuters were judged 

by weight, and I remember some specimens 

exhibited at the Palace that really looked like 

pigs fatted up for market. It was in 1886 

that the classification for neuters at the Crystal 

" 

Palace show ran thus : Gelded cats, not 

judged by weight, but for beauty of form, 

markings, etc." Happily, therefore, this state 

of things has been abolished, and though 

neuters should be big, massive cats, yet they 

need not, and should not, be lumps of inert 

fat and fur. It is true that a big show cat 

appeals to the non-exhibitor, and visitors to 

our shows are always greatly impressed with 

huge animals over filling their all too small 

pens. The heaviest and biggest neuter I have 

ever seen was possessed by Mrs. Reay Green. 

This enormous silver turned the scale at 20 Ib. 

I believe the record weight at the Crystal 

Palace was 25 Ib. It is a libel to say that 

neuter cats are lazy and uninteresting. I 

have always possessed a neuter, either a blue 

or a brown tabby, and these beloved pets have 

ably fulfilled their duties as mice-catchers of 

the establishment. My " Bonnie Boy," who 

but recently joined the noble army of neuters, 

is as keen as a knife, and will sit for hours

watching a likely hole, and never a mouse 

escapes his clever clutches. He kills them instantly, 

and then amuses himself for hours 

dancing about and throwing his dead prey with 

wild delight into the air. Then, again, he is, 

I am sorry to say, just as destructive with the 

poor London sparrows, and many a time I 

have had to chastise my pet for stalking the 

game in our little back garden. 

Miss H. Cochran, writing of neuters, says : 

" There are, without doubt, a great number 

of people who like to keep a cat, especially a 

Persian, for a pet pure and simple one that 

will be the admiration of all, and of service in 

ridding the house of mice and rats. They will 

attain a greater size, and in nine cases out of ten 

retain all the pretty habits and antics of their 

kittenhood. Neuter cats are often very troublesome 

in a large cattery ; they fight with each 

other and with the queens, which have a poor 

chance against their superior size. I think 

do it for fun." 

they 

In Fur and Feather "Zaida" thus writes of 

neuters : 

Undoubtedly it is a crying mistake for neuter cats 

to be allowed to compete in open classes, but personally 

I should be delighted to see more classes for 

them at shows, and much greater interest taken in 

them. Sometimes one is tempted to think the 

ordinary run of cats has deteriorated in general 

beauty, remembering the splendid animals, both 

English and foreign, which we used to see in friends' 

houses in our childhood ; but the real explanation 

lies in the fact that formerly " house " cats were 

almost entirely kept as pets, and handsome kittens 

were obtained for the purpose. Nowadays anything 

not good enough for breeding from is made a neuter, 

and fanciers undoubtedly look on them with a certain 

contempt. Why should this be more the case with 

cats than with horses ? For a perfect household pet 

the neuter cat holds its own, if only the public would 

universally acknowledge it. But too often every 

purchaser of a kitten starts breeding, and multiplies 

a race of weedy, ill-kept animals, who do little credit 

to their owner. A cat with kittens is undoubtedly a 

charming sight ; but a female cat is more or less of 

a worry, and is, besides, only in coat for a very short 

time each year. Then a torn cat roams, fights, and 

is often objectionable, but the stay-at-home cat is 

always a thing of beauty, never requires periods of 

seclusion, will mouse and rat with the best, and be 

a credit to any establishment. In short, we should 

NEUTER CATS. 239 

like to see more of them, not fewer, and a neuter 

class 

hold 

for every colour in a show. In many a house- 

cats are now disliked through the ill-advised 

action of some member of the family in starting 

breeding with more zeal than knowledge, and without 

proper convenience. If a lovely neuter, or even 

two or three, reigned in their glory, there would be 

an end to the trouble, to the groans of the other 

" BEXON'I." 

THE PROPERTY OF Miss COTTOR. 

(Photo: F. Wallace, Dalkeith.) 

members of the family, to the " wasn't .engaged to 

wait on cats " of the servants. 

In the schedule of the Beresford Cat Club 

show, held at New York, January, 1903, the 

classification for gelded cats reads thus : 

" Class 25, neuter, white or black ; Class 26, 

neuter, blue or smoke ; 


Class 27, neuter, ' 

any 

; Class 28, neuter, any colour 

tabby with white." It will be seen, therefore, 

that in America a much more liberal classification 

is given for long-haired neuters, and 

for short-haired there are three classes pro- 

vided. I do not know, nor have I heard of,


any remarkable American neuters, and no 

photographs have been received by me for 

reproduction in this work. 

If we go back some years in the fancy, I 

remember Miss Sangster's " Royal Hector," a 

blue of great celebrity ; also same owner's 

" Royal Bogey," a handsome black with a 

white star. Miss Boddington's cobby, woollycoated 

white " Ba Ba " appeared later in 

exquisite form, winning well till he was eleven 

years old. At this same period Mrs. Herring's 

little smoke " Ally Sloper" and Miss Molony's 

big, heavily coated black " Uncle Quiz " were 

noted winners. 

Then we come to Mrs. Willman's " Charlie," 

a fine blue of " Beauty Boy " strain, and Miss 

Knight's " Albion Joey," one of the finest 

neuters ever exhibited, a huge smoke with the 

roundest of heads, a trifle marked and not 

good in eye, but a glorious animal. 

A little later came Madame Portier's " Blue 

Boy," and, as I have received some notes from 

the owner of this magnificent cat, I will give 

" ' 

them : I am very proud of my Blue Boy,' 

born on St. Patrick's Day, 1895. He has won 

twenty-eight first prizes and many specials, 

and his championship before he was a year old. 

I had an offer of 20 for him. The greatest 

honour ' 

Blue Boy ' 

MISS ADAMSON S CHINCHILLA NEUTER. 

received was a caress from 

her Majesty, then Princess of Wales. 

" I often take my pet 

out for a walk on a 

collar, and he is quite easily led, and people 

often stop and ask if it is really a cat. I send 

you his photo for ' 

reproduction in The Book of 

the Cat.' " One of " " 

Blue Boy's wins was 

at the Richmond show, 1902, where he was 

greatly admired for the dignified way in 

which he comported himself on a lead. In 

these up-to-date days, however, " Blue Boy " 

has to run the gauntlet with superior coloured 

eyes, but in shape, size, and coat he holds his 

" 

own. Miss Kirkpatrick's Chili," now no 

more, was a beautiful creature a silver} 7 

smoke, almost a smoke tabby, with a wonder- 

ful fleecy coat and grand frill. Mrs. Reay 

Green has always been the proud possessor of 

superb neuters 

" " 

Mosca," a blue Abdul 

; 

Zephir," a chinchilla " 

and later 

; Ajax," 

who has done some winning. Viscountess 

Esher also has quite a cattery of neuters. I

procured for her a sable, almost unmarked and 

very rich in colour, a white with limpid sea- 

green eyes, and a Siamese with perfect points. 

Miss Cochran's " Patpaw " (now in the possession 

of Viscountess Esher), a son of the celebrated 

tortoiseshell " Tawney," is rather small 

for a neuter, but full of quality, with wonderful 

" 

orange eyes. Persimmon Laddie," owned by 

Miss Whitney, is, perhaps, the most perfect 

specimen that has been seen in the pen of the 

neuter classes. He is not a brown and not a 

tabby, but a sable ; and, having 

XEL'TER CATS. 241 

the blood of 

the " Birkdale Ruffies " and " Champion Persimmon 

" in his veins, it is no wonder he 

carries all before him. No photograph can 

do him justice. 

Mrs. Boyce's " Fur " could beat any male 

chinchilla now on the show bench ; for in 

colour, shape, and head he is well-nigh per- 

" " 

fect. Mrs. Millar's Lord Bute is a 

monstrous black, and in spite of his green 

eyes is generally in the prize list ; but in 

" NIGEL THE RAVEN." 

MRS. MELLER'S SHORT-HAIRED BLACK NEUTER. 

honours, and Miss Chamberlayne's " Tiger " is 

a handsomely marked brown tabby. Miss 

Meeson's " Fluff Duvals," another brownie, 

won first at the Crystal Palace and Brighton, 

and after a second at Westminster came home 

to die ! Miss Averay Jones has a splendid 

chinchilla neuter " King Cy," a possession too 

precious to be risked at any exhibition. 

So much for the long-haired pet pussies, and 

we will take a glance at past and present shorthaired 

neuters. A lovely coated cat was 

" Tiger of-K-epwick," owned by Mrs. MacLaren 

Morrison, a brown tabby, as his name denotes. 

Then Mrs. Butler's orange, which for many 

years won at the Crystal Palace and Brighton. 

Mr. Lane had a good yellow-eyed white, 

" 

Leonidas." Mrs. Herring owned a wellmarked 

brown tabby in " Sir Peter Teazle." 

Of late years the most remarkable short-haired 

neuters have been Miss Cartwright's really 

lovely Siamese 

" " 

Chote and Lady Alexander's 

blues, " Brother Gamp " and " Tom 

" 

Mrs. Curtis's Baron 

" 

Bonelli he met 

more than his match at the Crystal Palace in 

1902. This black cat (a son of 

Gamp," who are rarely, if ever, defeated, 

A richly coloured orange tabby neuter, 

" Johnnie 

Fawe ") has all the good points of 

" 

Red" Eagle," also hailed from the same cat- 

" Patpaw," tery. 

including his gorgeous eyes, and he is very large. 

Miss Holmes' 

In judging neuters, I think it is rather a 

" Blue Tut " has won many mistake to go too much by points. I consider 

16


size should be a most important factor, also 

coat and general effect. Of course, in close 

competition points would come into question ; 

but I really think that a large, heavily 

coated neuter, whose colour was a trifle un- 

sound, or whose markings or eyes were below 

par. should not be placed below a small meanlooking 

cat who, however, excelled in these 

points. 

Louis Wain, writing on a general survey of 

the Crystal Palace show of 1900, referring to 

the neuter class that he judged, says : 

"Neuters have suffered somewhat through 

the extended schedule of the ' 

whole ' 

cats. 

At one time it was quite a usual thing for 

exhibitors to have their' cats neutered to preserve 

the natural beauties of a fine cat, and 

very often a really handsome cat was neutered 

because he stood no chance in a class of twenty 

or thirty cats, and yet would take first as a 

neuter in a class of six or eight. The neuter 

classes have not grown as have the other class* -. 

As ' 

home ' 

cats neuters should be encouraged, 

and I feel sure that many are kept at home 

in fear of the dreaded ' 

blues,' which are 

usually unbeatable." Mr. Wain also complains 

of the poor classification for neuters at 

our shows, and on this particular occasion he 

states that the cats were such extremely fine 

animals that they needed classes of their own 

for him to do justice to their merits. Cer- 

tainly there ought 

MADAME POKTIKKS NEUTER "BLUE BOY. 

: 

(I'lioto Hana, London.) 

at least to be three classes 

provided for neuters at our large shows, viz. : 

Neuters, self-coloured (blue, black, and white) ; 

neuters, tabby, " any colour " ; and neuters, 

" any other colour."

RASCALS. 

(/>o;;i Pointing by Madame Henriette Ronncr.)

THESE quaint cats are rapidly and surely 

coming into notice in the fancy. As a 

breed they are intelligent and affection- 

ate, and, I believe, splendid sporting cats. 

They are undoubtedly great favourites amongst 

the sterner sex, perhaps because they are such 

keen and plucky ratters. As a breeder of 

Persian cats, and having become used to the 

beautiful wide-spreading tails of these cats, I 

confess there is something grotesque and un- 

finished, to my eyes, in the Manx, and from 

choice I should not care to keep these tail- 

less pussies as pets. They do not appeal to 

me and to my sense of the beautiful. Having, 

therefore, never kept or bred Manx cats, 

244 

CHAPTER XXII. 

MANX CATS. 

I feel 

diffident in writing about them ; but I have 

carefully studied those exhibited, and have 

also had opportunities of judging of their 

points whilst visiting friends who have fallen 

victims to the fascinations of these curious 

felines. I know a good Manx when I see one, 

TYPE OF MANX KITTEN. 

(Photo: 

Russell & Sons, Windsor.) 

and to prove this assertion I will tell an incident 

in connection with a prize-winning Manx 

of to-day. A friend of mine living in London 

took compassion on a little stray black kitten 

who came crying for food. She fed him, and 

repeatedly tried to find poor pussy's owner, 

but in vain. I was appealed to to know what 

had better be done, and when I saw the little 

black fellow I strongly recommended my 

friend to keep it and exhibit it at the next 

large show, as I considered he would go in and 

win easily. She followed my advice in the 

latter respect, but placed too low a figure on 

" 

Nig," as she declared sne did not wish to go 

in for Manx. I warned her he would be sold, 

and sure enough that clever and astute judge 

of cats of uncommon breeds, Mrs. H. C. 

Brooke, snapped him up at catalogue price ; 

and since then he has blossomed forth into a 

champion, and as " King Clinkie " has taken 

highest honours whenever shown. It is only 

just to state that Mrs. Brooke most generously 

handed over some of her winnings to " King 

Clinkie's " former owner. 

I will therefore proceed to give my opinion 

of Manx cats, but with all due deference to 

my fellow fanciers who have had personal 

experience with the breed. I think I have 

judged every species of cat, long- and short- 

but if I were given a 

haired, except Manx ; 

class of this breed upon which to adjudicate, I 

should first closely examine their tails, or, to 

be more correct, the place where the tails 

ought 

not to be ! I remember in former times 

stump-tailed cats, called Manx, used to win 

comfortably at shows, but in our up-to-date 

times I should make a black mark in my 

judging book against those cats with a stump 

or an appendage, or even a mere excrescence. 

I do not fear contradiction when I state that

a Manx cat of the true type should have no 

particle of tail only a tuft of hair, which 

ought to be boneless. 

The next point for which I should 

would be the length 

search 

of hind quarters, which 

lends such great individuality 

MAXX CATS. 245 

to this breed 

of cat. Xo doubt the lack of tail in itself 

makes a cat's hind legs look long, but we 

want more than that ; we need a very short 

back, so that from the point of the quarters 

to the hocks there is a continuous and de- 

cided outward slope. In fact, the hind legs 

stand right back from the body, like a well- 

trained hackney's in the show ring. Coat I 

should next consider, as this differs, or should 

differ, considerably from both the long- and 

short-haired breeds. It should bear more re- 

semblance to the fur of a rabbit, being longer 

and softer than that of our common or garden 

cats. I think a good-shaped round head as 

desirable in a Manx as in other breeds. As 

regards colour, the most common would seem 

to be tabbies, either silver, brown, or orange, 

and often there is a mixture of white. Selfcoloured 

Manx seem to be much rarer, and 

Harrison Weir tells us he does not recollect 

having seen a white Manx. 

As regards the colour of eyes in Manx cats, 

it is the custom to say that they do not matter 

in this breed ; but, nevertheless, a cat that 

has the correct colour of eye must necessarily 

beat an animal that has just the opposite to 

what is set forth in the standard for short- 

haired English cats. 

A lady friend of mine, who was brought up 

in the Isle of Man, has told me that she always 

understood that Manx cats came from a cross 

with a rabbit, but if this supposition is correct 

it seems too strange to be true that cats and 

rabbits should only form matrimonial alliances 

in the little island off our coast ! It would 

appear more probable, therefore, that a foreign 

breed of cat was brought to the island, and the 

following article from the pen of Mr. Gambier 

Bolton gives his ideas on the subject : 

" In the Isle of Man to-day we find a rock 

named the Spanish Rock, which stands close 

into the shore, and tradition states that here 

16* 

(Photo: 

" GOLFSTICKS. 

OWNED BY Miss SAMUELS. 

Albert Hester, Clapton, N.E.) 

one of the vessels of the Spanish Armada went 

down in the memorable year 1558, and that 

among 

the rescued were some tailless cats 

which had been procured during one of the 

vessel's voyages to the Far East. The cats 

first swam to the rock, and then made their 

way to the shore at low tide ; and from these 

have sprung all the so-called Manx cats which 

are now to be found in many parts of Great 

Britain, Europe, and America. 

" ' 

The tale seems a bit tall,' and yet the 

writer feels so satisfied of its truth that he 

would welcome any change in the name of 

this peculiar variety of the domestic cat to 

sweep away the idea that they sprang from 

the Isle of Man originally. 

" Any traveller in the Far East Japan, 

China, Siam, and the Malay region who is a 

lover of animals must have noticed how rarely 

one meets with a really long-tailed cat in these 

regions, for instead one meets with the kinktailed 

(i.e. those with a bend or screw at the 

tip of the tail), the short kink-tailed (i.e. those 

with a screw tail like the bull-dogs), the forked- 

tailed (i.e. those having tails which start quite 

straight, but near the tip branch out into two 

forks), and finally the tailless (or miscalled 

Manx) cats ; and the naturalist Kgempfer states


definitely that the now so common in 

specimens of this 

parts of Russia all 

breed 

came 

originally from Japan. Again, anyone who 

breeds these tailless cats, and keeps the breed 

quite pure, must have noticed how they differ 

in appearance and habits from the common 

short-haired cats. They are, and should be, 

much smaller in size ; the coat should be 

' 

longer and more rabbity ' 

; the ' 

call ' 

is much 

nearer that of the jungle cat of the East than 

that of the ordinary cat ; 

" Kink-tailed, screw-tailed, fork-tailed, and 

absolutely tailless cats have all been exhibited 

at British shows of recent years, and the writer, 

from a personal knowledge of nearly all breeds, 

has no hesitation in recommending the latter 

as companions, their quaint and doglike ways 

making them general favourites whenever they 

are met with. 

" There are at present six distinct types of 

Manx, or ' 

SPECIMEN OF A MANX TABBY. 

(Photo: 

and their habits, like 

those of the Siamese cats, are much more dog- 

like. In all these points they keep closely 

to what the writer firmly believes to be their 

original type, the domesticated cats of the Far 

East. 

" 

The photographs illustrating this article 

give some idea of the general appearance of 

these delightfully quaint little creatures, and 

one notices immediately the great point that 

all judges look for, viz., the high hind quarters, 

which is so typical of the tailless breed of 

cats, the few hairs, which represent the spot 

where the tail should be, constantly appearing 

even a few hours after birth, although there is 

not a sign of a caudal appendage beneath them. 

C. Reid, Wishaw.) 

rumpy,' cats being exhibited at our 

shows, viz. : The long straight-backed cat, the 

long roach-backed cat, the long straightbacked 

cat with high hind quarters, the short 

straight-backed cat, the short roach-backed 

cat, the short-backed cat with high hind 

quarters. The last type is the correct one, the 

first is the worst and commonest type, the 

others are intermediate and should be judged 

accordingly. 

" 

Manx cats should always be judged in a 

good, large, empty pen, and never in their own 

pens, or when held by the judge. 

" Coat. Exactly the opposite to the ordinary 

domesticated short-haired cat. A long and 

open outer coat and a soft, close under coat 

is the correct thing."

At one time, we may presume, 

MAXX CATS. 247 

the Manx 

cat was kept pure in the Isle of Man ; but, 

alas ! the natives, with an eye to the main 

chance, have been led into manufacturing a 

spurious article, and many more tailless cats 

and kittens than ever were born have been 

sold to tourists eager to carry home some 

souvenir of the island to their friends on the 

mainland. I have been told that the landing 

pier is a frequent resort of dealers in so-called 

Manx cats, where the unwary traveller is way- 

laid and sold ! On 

some out-of-the-way farms 

on the island I believe none but tailless cats 

have been kept for generations, and some 

genuine specimens may thus be picked up, if 

the tourist gives himself the trouble to go off 

the beaten tracks. 

The following letters which appeared in Our 

Cats, in the issue of June 3Oth, 1900, will be 

read with interest. They were written by two 

gentlemen of prominent position in the Isle 

of Man, but as they did not wish to be identi- 

fied as authorities on cats their names were 

not given : 

[LETTER I.] 

Castletown, Isle of Man, 

1 2th July, 1898. 

I received yesterday your letter respecting Manx 

cats. I fear I am unable to aid you much in your 

inquiries as to the Manx cat, for any personal information 

I can give. 

When I was a boy there was a kind of tradition 

that the tailless cat was brought here by the Spanish 

Armada. We have a headland called 

" Spanish 

Head," where it has been believed that some tailless 

cats escaped and took refuge here, and that from 

such cats all the so-called Manx cats have been 

derived. During my life I have frequently met 

persons who have travelled in Spain, and I think I 

have always asked from such persons if they had 

ever met with tailless cats there, but I never met 

anyone who had seen them. I never heard any other 

(traditional) origin of the Manx cat alleged. They 

are very common here, but not so common as cats 

with tails. Both cats with and cats without tails 

associate together. In my own house we have always 

kept cats, and in almost every litter of kittens there 

are some with and some without tails. I have two 

tailless cats now one is a kitten of a few weeks old. 

It has no sign of a tail, but is (as designated here) a 

pure rumpy. The mother is one also, but she has 

a little fur tuft. I have frequently seen kittens 

having a very small " rudimentary tail," such as one 

or two bones. 

I have seen, I think, Manx cats of most of the 

colours mentioned by you, but the most common are 

the grey or tabby. 

I have never heard of wild cats found here, and I 

do not think there is any tradition about them. 

A few years ago I had a very fine torn cat (bred in 

my own house), black all over, and with no sign of 

a tail. I lost it. I presume it was stolen by some 

tripper. Trippers are frequently on the look-out for 

Manx cats, and I fear that many tailed kittens are 

deprivedôf their tails to meet the demand. 

[LETTER II.] 

Ramsey, 

i /th July, 1898. 

Thank you for letting me see the interesting 

letters about Manx cats. I suppose the Society 

wants to have a standard by which to judge them. 

. . . I am sure we should all be interested to hear 

what they have to say on the subject, and we may 

be able to add some general information. 

To take the questions in order I should say that 

grey tabby (barred, not spotted) is the most natural 

and correct, if one may so speak. I think it is cer- 

tainly most common. I have known tortoiseshell, 

black-and-white, black, white, and perhaps others, 

which I now forget. The eye, so far as I know, is 

the same as in the common English tabby. 

Certainly we have cats with tails the rumpy being 

the rare form. Perhaps one in a litter, and one or two 

of them with half-tails. 

As to what they are supposed to be, I have of 

course heard the Spanish Armada story. My own 

belief is that they have originated in a sport, e.g. as 

we find in dogs and fowls, and have been perpetuated 

as curiosities, and in modern times on account of 

their commercial value. 

I do not know that there is any type which can be 

said to be more true than another with regard to size 

and shape of head, etc. The height at the hind legs 

is perhaps more apparent than real, caused by the 

abrupt ending, without the falling tail as in ordinary 

cats. 

Professor Owen made a preparation, which may be 

seen at the British Museum, showing the bones (if any) 

of the tail. I think in a perfect specimen there 

should be no bones. Of course, there are all degress 

of stumps. 

It is only of recent years that any English 

fanciers have tried to breed true Manx 

cats. Miss Samuel has been very success- 

ful in establishing a strain which again 

and again breeds true to type. The " Golf-


sticks " and " Kangaroo," two noted winners, 

are owned by her. In former days Miss 

Bugden's " Gorrie," Mr. Woodiwiss's " Manx 

King," "Pickles," "Belle," and "Beauty," 

all good cats, accounted for most of the prizes. 

Miss Jay, whose name is more familiarly known 

in connection with blue Persians, has always 

been partial to Manx cats, and used to exhibit 

at the Crystal Palace. The last time I visited 

the Holmwood cattery I was much struck with 

the number of tortoiseshell Manx cats running 

about the stable yard. Miss Jay has quite a 

family of these ; but, needless to say, they 

are all of the female sex ! Mrs. Herring has 

not been unmindful of this breed, and has 

exhibited some good 

specimens. Miss 

Dresser has owned 

Manx cats for many 

years 

some 

and shown 

good ones. 

Her "Belle Mahone" 

and 

" " 

Moonlight 

were nice tabbies, 

free from tail, and 

" Bonhaki Junior" 

was a very fine- 

shaped silver tabbyand-white 

; but, un- 

fortunately, he had 

a stump which always 

kept him back. 

Mrs. Mosely has exhibited 

some good 

blacks. Lady Alex- 

ander owned several 

prize-winning Manx, 

but these have 

passed into the 

hands of Miss Hester 

Cochran. The best of 

these are " Balloch- 

ORANGE 

myle Bell Stump," 

a curiously spotted tabby, absolutely tailless. 

" Bell Spitz " and " Strathcona " are also 

good specimens in Miss Cochran's possession. 

Mr. 

fine 

Gambier Bolton owned and 

" 

cats. Manx Primrose," a 

bred some 

black, and 

OWNED BY MRS. CLINTON LOCKE. 

(rlwto 

: S. S. F 

" D-Tail," a silver tabby, won respectively 

first and second at the Westminster show in 

1902. It is so usual to see " Breeder and pedigree 

unknown " after almost all the entries in 

the Manx classes that these two cats were dis- 

tinguished by having a certified pedigree. It 

was a grievous loss when " D-Tail " disappeared 

very mysteriously from his home in St. John's 

" " 

Wood. Manx Silverwing passed from Mr. 

Bolton's possession to that of Mr. Foulstonc's, 

and was later purchased by Mr. A. Ward, the 

well-known cat specialist. As will be seen 

from the illustration on page 251, this puss is 

almost a spotted tabby. 

Lady Marcus Beresford has lately shown a 

MANX. 

inley, Chicago.) 

great partiality for 

Manx. I think I am 

right in stating that 

the first one that in- 

habited the Bishopsgate 

a>tlery was a 

beautiful white called 

"Mona,' ; 

that I 

procured lor her. 

This fine specimen 

was brought from 

the island direct, 

and proved herself 

a splendid ratter ; 

but, alas ! she did 

not live long to en- 

joy the luxuries of 

her new home. 

There are, however, 

no fewer than 

Manx now 

five 

at 

Bishopsgat c 

"Jack," a silver 

tabby; "Patch," a 

tortoiseshell; 

"Satanella." a 

black female ; and 

" Stumps," a brown 

tabby male. The most recent addition is 

" 

King Clinkie," whom I Inve before men- 

tioned as being owned by Mrs. H. C. Brooke. 

Does he ever think of his former struggling 

existence, now that his ways are those of

pleasantness and peace 

? One of the latesc 

of the specialist clubs is the Manx Club, 

formed by Miss _^ Hester Cochran in 1901, 

with an annual subscription of IDS. ; thishas 

been reduced to 55., and the members 

in the beginning of 1903 numbered about 

twenty. The club has, as far as possible, 

devoted its limited funds to guaranteeing a 

better classification for Manx cats at the principal 

shows, and when unable to afford a 

guarantee has given special prizes for competition. 

The efforts of this small body of fanciers 

have been substantially rewarded by the great 

improvement in the quantity and quality of 

the Manx cats exhibited during the last 

eighteen months. Miss H. Cochran, who has 

given up all other cats for Manx, is the hon. 

secretary, and Lady Alexander hon. treasurer. 

Committee : 

Lady Alexander, Miss H. Cochran, 

Mrs. Herring, and Miss White Atkins. No 

doubt in time the officials and members ot 

the Manx Club will be able to acid to their 

number. 

The following is translated from a paragraph 

in a German weekly paper called Mutter 

Erde, and appeared in Our Cats of March 

ist. 1900 : 

MANX CATS. 249 

THE PROGENY' OF A TAILLESS CAT OF THE ISLE OF MAN. 

A cat brought from the Isle of Man (felis catus 

anura) to S. Germain en Lave, of which the pedigree 

is unknown, was mated with ordinary long-tailed 

cats, and among twenty-four kittens the four fol- 

lowing different kinds appeared : 

MRS. H. c. BROOKE'S MANX, "KATZEXJA.MMKK.'' 

(Photo: A. R. Picket!, Be.rley Heath.) 

I. Kittens with ordinary long tails. 

II. Kittens with short and stump tails. 

III. Kittens without tails, like the mother. 

IV. Kittens without the least sign of a tail. 

The comparison between the influence of the sire 

and that of the dam on the young is interesting : 

1 litter. I kitten like the mother. 

2 6 kittens, 5 

like the mother, I like the father. 

5 3 .. - 2 " 

i 

3 

,,2 

4 i ,.3 

It will be seen that the influence of the mother 

predominates. 

Manx cats may be considered shy breeders, 

and constantly the litter will consist of one 

kitten ! only 

excellent mothers ; but, in the words of a 

I have been told that they are 

Manx fancier, " they only 

family a year, many queens 

care to have one 

won't breed at 

all, and heaps of males are very funny and 

take no notice of their wives ! 

" 

Another 

breeder of Manx informs me that these cats 

seem entirely fearless with dogs, and that her


canines arid felines live together in perfect 

amity. I believe Mr. H. C. Brooke once exhibited 

a Manx in the same pen as a bull-dog 

at the South London Bull-dog Show of 1893. 

And now, having mentioned Mr. Brooke's 

name, I am pleased to say that this well- 

BALLOCHMVLE BELL SPITZ. 

OWNED nv Miss HESTER COCHRAN. 

known and successful fancier of Manx, as well 

as foreign, cats has kindly written an article 

on this variety, which is his : 

pet speciality 

" 

On this breed I think I may claim to write 

with some authority, as I have kept it for a 

number of years, and it has always been my 

favourite breed of cat. I believe I may, with- 

out boasting, say that I have of late years been 

of some service to the breed, by constantly 

agitating for the Manx classes to be entrusted 

to judges who take some interest in the variety ; 

for it is a lamentable fact that there are num- 

bers of people, good judges of the more popular 

breeds, who are quite willing to adjudicate 

upon the Manx classes without possessing the 

slightest qualifications, and these usually 

merely judge the Manx as a tailless cat, which 

is all wrong. During the last few years I 

am glad to say that the National Cat Club, at 

almost all its shows, instead of tacking the 

Manx classes on to the list of any all-round 

judge, has appointed capable judges ; and 

whilst, of course, no judge has ever succeeded 

in pleasing all concerned (except when there 

' 

was only one entry in the class), the awards at 

these shows have always been reasonable and 

sound, and free from the absurdities which too 

often sicken fanciers and render the judge 

ridiculous at other shows. When we find an 

all-round judge openly stating that a Manx 

is but a tailless cat, and that he could manu- 

facture perfect specimens, it is high time that 

that judge's name, however excellent a judge 

he may be of other breeds, should be inscribed 

upon the tablets of every Manx fancier's 

memory, and when he again officiates he 

should be saved the trouble of going over cats 

which he neither likes nor understands. 

'"What is a Manx but a tailless cat ? ' 

some may ask. Well, a cat with, perhaps, 

an inch of tail, though in my opinion unfit 

to win a prize, may possibly be really a 

better Manx, more calculated to do good to 

the breed, than an absolutely tailless cat. It 

may possess more Manx character, and this 

Manx character is a thing not ' 

understanded 

of the people ' 

; 

and here it is that those judges 

score who have taken a real interest in and 

studied the breed. A cat may have a couple 

of joints of tail, crooked or straight, and yet 

be a pure Manx ; though, as we strive for per- 

fection, 

I consider that such cats should be 

relegated to the stud, or at most only be placed 

in the money if the competition be very weak, 

and then never awarded any high prize. 

" If breeders of Manx were more careful, 

there should be no difficulty in obtaining 

litters without any tail whatever. No cat 

can be a really typical Manx who is 

in the body. A short, cobby body is 

long-cast 

an essential 

in a show Manx. So also is a round, short 

skull. These points are usually noticeable 

when the kittens are young ; as they grow 

older they disappear, frequently to return 

when the cat has outgrown its kittenhood. 

But the most important Manx property is the 

great length of hind leg, which absolutely 

marks the typical Manx as a cat quite distinct 

from a tailless cat ; 

with this should be coupled 

a round, guinea-pig-like rump, 

round as an 

orange, which, of course, can only be obtained 

when there is absolutely no tail. Even a tuft

of gristle or hair, as found in many of the best 

specimens, though in itself but a very trifling 

' 

defect, detracts from this typical rumpy ' 

appearance, by giving a more or less angular 

appearance to the hind quarters, unless, that is, 

it be situated so far back between the hip- 

bones that it in no way projects. As typical 

specimens showing this rumpy formation to 

perfection, I ' 

may mention the late Champion 

and Premier Katzenjammer,' and 

' 

Ballochmyle 

Bell Stump,' probably two of the best 

ever seen in this respect. Had these two been 

mated, what glorious progeny should have 

resulted. Now these two cats, whilst possessing 

the round rumpy formation to perfection, did 

not excel so much in length of hind leg, and 

for superlative excellence in this property we 

must turn to another celebrated couple, the 

' 

late silver tabby Champion and Premier Bonhaki 

' 

and 'King Clinkie,' who has just passed 

into the possession of Lady Marcus Beresford, 

and who at the age of about fifteen months 

has already twice won championship awards. 

Now, these two cats exhibited the great length 

of hind leg which gave them when in motion 

the desired comical rabbity action ; but 

in roundness of rump they lost to the 

other two, being somewhat more an- 

gular. 

' 

To gain absolute perfection we re- 

quire roundness of nlmp united to great: 

length of hind leg. These are the great 

characteristics of the Manx, to which 

every Manx judge worthy of the name 

will attach the greatest importance. Then 

come other body properties shortness of 

back, general cobbmess, roundness of 

skull, small ears, shortness of face ; then, 

last of all, colour. And here it is that 

the average all-round judge goes astray, 

for in too many cases 

much weight to colour, 

he attaches too 

a good instance 

of which occurred when 

' 

Ballochmyle 

Bell Stump,' above referred to, whose 

colour, though quaint, is not very pleasing, 

was placed below a long-cast cat of a taking 

'Colour, but in no wise a typical Manx. 

"As I before remarked, colour should be 

MANX CATS. 

considered last. I think a good black is the 

nicest colour for a Manx, and, of course, the 

eyes should be of the colour sought for in 

ordinary black cats. A pure blue-eyed white 

is very pretty, and also very scarce. Tabbyand-white 

I personally do not care for. Silver 

tabbies are uncommon and very handsome. 

Tortoiseshells are also pretty and quaint. 

" The fur of the Manx should be just a little 

longer and softer than that of the ordinary 

short-haired cat. Now and then we see longhaired 

-Manx advertised, but these are, of 

course, mongrels or abortions, and by no means 

Manx cats. 

" What is the origin of the Manx ? That is 

a question which in all probability will never 

be answered. The theory that it originated 

from a cat (or cats) having lost its tail by 

accident I do not consider worth a moment's 

consideration. Such a cat might well have 

tailless progeny, but that would have nothing 

to do with the abnormal length of the hind 

legs, which in good specimens is patent to the 

most superficial observer, and which makes 

the gambols of a couple of Manx a comical 

MANX CAT. 

(Photo: Gambier Ballon, F.Z.S. [Rcgil.].) 

sight calculated to excite laughter in the most 

mournfully disposed person. 

" Quaint is the old versified explanation, 

which I remember hearing some years ago.

It ran, if I remember rightly, somewhat like 

this : 

Noah, sailing o'er the seas, 

Ran high and dry on Ararat. 

His dog then made a spring, and took 

The tail from off a pussy cat. 

Puss through the window quick did fly, 

And bravely through the waters swam, 

Nor ever stopped, till, high and dry, 

She landed on the Isle of Man. 

Thus tailless puss earned Mona's thanks, 

And ever after was called Manx. 

" The most feasible explanation, in my 

opinion, though 


of course it can be but a 

theory, is that these cats were originally imported 

from the East. Asiatic cats of domes- 

tic varieties show remarkable variety in the 

shape of their tails, as witness the kinks often 

found in the tail of the Siamese cat, and the 

knot tails of other varieties. This subject will 

be referred to again in a subsequent paper. 

" It is also noticeable that many Manx, like 

the Siamese, are very dog-like in their habits, 

showing extreme affection for their owners. 

Poor old ' 

Katzen jammer,' for instance, would 

follow me to the railway station, and many a 

time on my return, from town have I found him 

sitting in the middle of a field waiting for me, 

and on seeing me he would accompany me 

home just like a dog. 

" To return to the question of the Manx 

cat's tail, this should, of course, be like snakes 

in absent. What we want is for the 

Iceland 

spinal column to come to an end high up on 

the back, so that on placing the finger where 

the tail would begin a hollow or depression is 

felt. This is the perfection, but it is not always 

obtainable in even the very best specimens. 

Next to be desired is when only a little tuft of 

gristle and hair, with at most a suggestion of 

a twisted and withered bone, is present. Then 

if twisted 

comes a distinct caudal vertebra, 

or abnormal in shape so much the better ; 

but 

in my opinion more than two joints should not 

be allowed in show specimens at all, though 

such cats, as. I remarked above, may be valuable 

at stud for breeding from. But I see no 

reason, if Manx breeders would pay more 

attention, and incompetent judges were barred, 

why 

absolute taillessness should not be 

attained in ninety-nine kittens out of each 

hundred. I have bred many, 

but none have 

had the crooked stumps we often see in other- 

wise good specimens. 

" 

I do not care for large Manx, which generally 

look coarse. Here, again, the all-rounder 

often goes astray, and unduly favours a large 

cat. 

" I can heartily recommend the Manx as a 

pet, and the quaintness of his movements are 

certainly a recommendation. My cats are all 

house pets, so that I can watch them and enjoy 

cat is abhor- 

their company the ; ' 

cattery ' 

rent to me. I cannot understand why 

so few 

people go in for rationally breeding this quaint 

variety. I had hoped that the recent purchase 

by his Majesty of two couples of the breed 

might have given it a fillip. 

" 

To illustrate the breed, I may perhaps 

be accused of egotism in giving the portrait 

of one of our own cats, but as he is dead it 

is less invidious than if living specimens were 

selected, and as they were awarded the very 

highest prizes by the very greatest authorities 

they may safely be taken as near perfection. 

and Premier 

The silver tabby 

' 

Bonhaki ' 

Champion 

was bred by Mr. Jungbluth, one of 

the keepers of the monkey house at the Zoo. 

He made his debut at the Botanic Gardens as a 

kitten, when he was much admired by the then 

Princess of Wales, and Mr. Wain awarded him 

the championship. This success he followed up 

by winning four others under various j udges,and 

died at the early age of twenty-seven months. 

was 

he did not commence his show 

' 

Champion and Premier Katzenjammer ' 

bred at home ; 

career till late, and then he had to meet 

' 

Bonhaki,' after whose death, however, he 

was unbeaten, and had earned his champion 

title at the time of his death from gastritis last 

year, which robbed me of one of the most 

affectionate ' 

pals ' 

man ever had, and I am 

not ashamed to own that many and bitter 

were the tears I shed over his grave. 

" 

In conclusion, I would advise Manx fanciers 

to do their best to accustom their cats 

to seeing strangers, to being handled, and to

Q 

W 

w 

>. 

g 

I 

O 

Q 

2 

n 

q 

2 

5 O 

00

the show pen ; for when a cat is nervous and 

crouches in a heap it is most difficult to see 

whether the desired shape of hind quarters and 

rabbity action are present. They can best be 

seen when the cat holds itself fearlessly and 

MANX CATS. 253 

boldly; and when a judge has a large number 

of classes to get through in a short space of 

time, in very likely an ill-lighted building, he 

cannot spend half an hour coaxing each cat 

to show its action." 

MR. WARDS MANX " SILVERWIXG. 

(Photo : H. Glacier, Longzight.)

HAVE often remarked at our cat shows 

I that strangers in the fancy will inquire 

and ask to be directed to the Siamese 

class, and many and varied are the exclama- 

tions of surprise and admiration expressed 

-by them on seeing, perhaps for the first 

time, a row of Siamese cats seated in their 

pens. Nor is it always necessary to direct 

visitors to the Siamese classes, for generally 

these animals will betray their whereabouts 

by the unique tone of their voice, which is 

distinguishable at a great distance. 

There is certainly a great fascination about 

this peculiar breed of cats, which is yearly 

becoming more popular and fashionable. But 

fanciers are also learning a lesson in the school 

of experience, where frequently the fees are 

high, that they dare not trust their valuable 

specimens on the show bench. Siamese cats 

seem to be more sensitive than even the most 

delicate of long-haired breeds, and if attacked 

by any of the ills that catty 

they do not appear to have any 

A LITTKR BY TACHINY 

OWNED BY LADY MARCUS BERESEORD. 

(Photo : J. Fall, Baker Street.) 

CHAPTER XXIII. 

flesh is heir to 

SIAMESE CATS. 

stamina to 

bear up against the ravages of the disease. 

Their recuperative powers are almost nil, and 

they rarely pull through a severe illness. I 

have never kept Siamese myself, but I have 

had many opportunities of observing them in 

sickness and in health. I have seen grown-up 

specimens go out like the snuffing of a candle 

with acute pneumonia, almost before one has 

realised they were even ailing. These creatures 

are quite human in the way they look at you 

with those bonnie blue eyes, and when you 

talk to them they seem to answer in their 

croaking 

voice. I can well understand what 

companionable cats these may become, and tc* 

fanciers of this unique breed other cats must 

appear lacking in interest and wanting in 

intelligence. 

From time to time there have been discus- 

sions in our cat papers on Siamese cats in 

general, and on their kinked or kinkless tails 

in particular. It is certain that those cats 

known to us as royal Siamese are not the only 

species in Siam, the common cat of the country 

being tabby or black. So many of my friends 

who are fanciers and breeders of Siamese have 

kindly supplied me with interesting facts concerning 

this variety, that I do not intend to 

enter into any details, but will state that in 

1902 a Siamese Cat Club was started by several 

enthusiastic admirers of this breed, and the 

members have certainly done much to improve

the classification at shows, by offering prizes 

and guaranteeing classes. 

The following is a list of the officials of the 

specialist club, with a standard of points for 

royal 

Siamese cats : 

President. Mrs. Vary Campbell. 

Vice-Presidents. The Lady Decies, Mrs. Vyvyan, 

Miss Sutherland, The Hon. Mrs. McLaren Morrison, 

Mrs. Chapman, and Miss H. Cochran. 

Committee. Mrs. Parker-Brough, Mrs. Carew Cox, 

Miss Derby Hyde, Mrs. C. B. Robinson, Mrs. A. 

Spencer, Miss Forestier Walker, Mr. Gambier Bolton, 

and Mr. C. W. Cooke. 

Hon. Treasurer. Mrs. Parker-Brough, Springfield, 

Kettering. 

Hon. Secretary. Miss Forestier Walker. 

Hon. Auditor. Conrad W. Cooke. 

SIAMESE CATS. 255 

STANDARD OF POINTS FOR THE " ROYAL " SIAMESE 

CAT. 

Body Colour. As light and even as possible, cream 

being most desirable, but fawn also admissible, without 

streaks, bars, blotches, or any other body mark- 

ings. 

Points, i.e. mask, ears, legs, feet, and tail, dark 

and clearly defined, of the shade known as " seal " 

brown. 

Mask. Complete, i.e. connected by tracings with 

the ears, neither separated by a pale ring (as in 

kittens) nor blurred and indistinct, the desideratum 

being to preserve the " marten face," an impression 

greatly aTcTecT by a good mask. 

Eyes Bright and decided blue. 

Coat Glossy and close lying. 

Shape. Body rather long, legs proportionately 

slight. 

Head. Rather long and pointed. 

THE GARDEN CATTERY AT BISHOPSGATE. 

(Fhotoi: Casse/I & Company, Limited.)


General Appearance. With points emphasised 

above, a somewhat curious and striking looking cat, 

of medium size ; 

if weighty, not showing bulk, as 

this would detract from the admired " svelte " appearance. 

In type, in every particular, the reverse of 

the ideal short-haired domestic cat, and with properly 

preserved contrasts of colour, a very handsome 

animal, often also distinguished by a kink in the tail. 

Remarks. While admit- 

ting that blues, blacks, 

whites, tabbies, and other 

coloured cats may be also 

cats of Siam, these being 

common to all parts of the 

world, this club recognises 

only as Siamese cats those 

cats the points of which 

conform to the above 

standard, and is, in fact, 

desirous of encouraging the 

breeding of those particular 

cats first made known to 

British fanciers as the 

-' 

royal " Siamese. 

The points of the 

" " 

chocolate Siamese are 

the same as above, with 

the exception of body 

colour. 

VALUE OF POINTS. 

Body colour 

Shape 

Coat 

Head 

20 

IO 

10 

Siamese Cat Club that the following letter 

appeared 

in Fur and Feather: 

POINTS OF THE SIAMESE. 

The committee of the Siamese Club wish to draw 

attention to the unfortunate diversity of opinion 

concerning Siamese cats expressed in articles which 

appear from time to time in some of the papers which 

devote a portion of their issue to cat news. One great 

object of the Siamese Club is to encourage the distinct 

breeding of the royal cat of. Siam and also of the 

chocolate cat of Siam both beautiful in their own 

way, but recognised as distinct breeds. The Siamese 

Club is young, and not infallible ; but, containing as 

it does most of the principal breeders and exhibitors, 

its committee would like to record their opinion on 

some few points which have appeared in the Press, 

be construed 

in order to avoid a silence which might 

as consent. With regard to colour, they cannot agree 

that a royal can be too light in body colour, nor can 

they endorse " we like a 

rich cream body, choco- 

late saddle, and the points 

glossy black, shading away 

to chocolate." Another 

paper advises the mating 

of royal Siamese with the 

chocolate variety. It is 

true that the young kittens 

are very pretty, but after 

six months old quickly 

become dark and blurred. 

The great beauty of royal 

Siamese is the contrast 

between the sharply defined, 

deepest brown markings 

and a body of as 

light a cream as possible. 

A third paper gives the 

information that an exhibitor 

known to it has bred 

prize - winning Siamese 

from a cross between a 

white cat with blue eyes 

and a Siamese queen. It 

Eyes 

Mask 

Density of IO 

points 

2O 

15 

15 

MRS. ROBERTS LOCKE, WITH 

AM) " Total . . . . 100 

BANGKOK." 

(Photo: S. S. Finlcy, Chicago.) 

Any 

75 of the above marks 

shall not be eligible for the club's challenge prizes 

and medals. 

cat also mentions another case 

where such crossing has 

produced good Siamese 

kittens, and thinks "that 

many 

failing to obtain 

It was shortly after the formation of the 

other people have, 

with more or less success, 

followed the same 

tactics. The above experiment 

has often been tried, purposely and accidentally, 

but no case is known to the writers where 

the result has been anything like Siamese, the kittens 

always favouring the English parent. All Siamese 

are born white, and therefore if the children of one 

white parent died quite young such a mistake might 

be natural. It certainly would be very unfair to 

sell such kittens, as their progeny would inherit, and 

might pass on, an English parentage, 

not even necessarily 

white. A white is, or may be, merely an albino 

variety. (Signed). A. Forestier Walker, Jean A. 

Spencer, May Robinson, L. Parker-Brough, S. E. 

Backhouse, Constance Carew Cox. 

Miss Forestier Walker and Mrs. Vyvyan 

were amongst 

the first to introduce Siamese cats

into England, and they have always owned a 

direct descendant from the first and famous 

" 

Tiam-o-Shian," and many 

are the prize-winners they 

have reared and shown from 

this celebrated strain. Miss 

Forestier-Walker has fre- 

quently acted as judge of 

Siamese, and took a very 

active part in the formation 

of the specialist club for this 

breed. She has kindly fur- 

nished me with the following 

notes, and given me 

some photographs of Mrs. 

Vyvyan's 

cats : 

" Siamese cats were first 

introduced into England 

about twenty-five years ago, 

but were not often seen until 

a few years later. Among 

the earliest were those 

belonging to Sir Robert 

Herbert, Lady Dorothy 

Nevill, the Rev. S. Baring-Gould, Mrs. Cun- 

liffe Lee, Mrs. Vyvyan, and myself. Since 

then they have become fairly common. 

"There are two 

distinct varieties 

in the present day. 

(i) The ro3'al cat 

of Siam, cream- 

coloured in body, 

with sharply defined 

seal - brown 

markings on head, 

ears, legs, feet, 

and tail ; eyes a 

decided blue. 

The cats generally 

become darker 

after two years 

old, but where 

great care has 

been taken in breeding the true royal cats 

keep the light colour longer. In any case the 

body colouring should be even, not blotched 

or striped. The larger, lighter-coloured cats 

17 


THE PROPERTY OF W. MARGETSON, ESQ. 

(Photo: H.J. Comley, Stroud.) 

TIAM-O-SHIAN I \ 

OWNED BY MRS. VYVYAN. 

(Photo : Speight, Kittering.) 

have china or ultramarine blue eyes ; the 

more slender, darker cats have deeper-coloured 

eyes. (2) The chocolate cats 

are deep brown in colour, 

showing hardly any mark- 

ings, and have blue eyes. 

" All Siamese kittens are 

white when born, but in a 

few days slight markings 

appear on tail, ears, and 

paws, and by four months 

old the markings are dark 

and complete, excepting 

those which connect the face 

and head ; these are seldom 

perfect before eight months 

old. 

" The tails are sometimes 

straight, which is not a fault ; 

but a knot or kink in the 

tail is a peculiarity of the 

breed, and therefore desir- 

able. In England it has 

been asserted that this is a 

defect, but in Siam it is highly prized, and 

cats from the royal palace which have been 

given bv the King as presents of value to 

important people 

have had this dis- 

tinction. In the 

East a cat with a 

kinked tail fetches 

a higher price. 

" The Siamese 

have a great affec- 

tion for animals, 

and there is no 

doubt that the 

cats are much val- 

ued, those in the 

royal palace hav- 

ing been kept ex- 

ceptionally pure. 

" There is a 

legend that the light-coloured cats, with blue 

eyes, represent silver ; the dark cats, with 

yellow eyes, gold ; and that the possessor of 

both will always have plenty. This rather

gives the idea that originally the eyes of the 

pure chocolate cat were yellow, and that 

the present variety has been crossed with the 

royal cat. 

" Mr. Young, of Harrogate, had some years 

ago a chocolate cat with yellow eyes. 

" Another belief is that they receive the 

souls of their owners at death, and it is well 

known that the King of Siam 

had one on board his yacht 

when visiting Europe a few 

years ago. 

" It is a great mistake to 

mix the varieties, as the result 

after they become adult is a 

blurring of the markings and 

a patchy coat. 

" The males are extremely 

powerful, and will kill strange 

cats and fight dogs. They are 

devoted to their wives and 

children, and to their owners. 

They are exceedingly intelli- 

gent. With the dogs of the 

house they will be on excellent 

terms. 

" The litters vary in size, 

but four to five is the usual number. The 

kittens are difficult to rear, as they suffer from 

worms and teething, but after seven or eight 

months old there is little danger. Some 

people think a meat diet best, but I find it 

satisfactory to bring them up on lighter food, 

such as Ridge's food, milk, gravy, and fish, 

until they begin to cut their teeth, when 

meat is required. 

" A pair from the Palace were given to Mrs. 

Vyvyan and myself in 1884-5, and we have 

been very careful in breeding, mating when 

possible with such good 

celebrated ' 

Meo,' Miss Moore's ' 

Harrington's ' 

consequence 


cats as Mrs. Lee's 

Siam,' Mrs. 

Mechi,' etc, and have bred in 

' 

the famous Tiam-o-Shians ' 

III., and IV., ' 

Polyphema,' ' 

Susa,' ' 

Kara,' ' 

Goblin,' ' 

Champion Eve,' ' 

' 

Vishuddha,' ' Ah Choo,' ' 

others." 

Among fanciers and importers 

OWNED BY LADY MARCUS BEKKSFORD. 

(Photo : Russell & Sons, Windsor.) 

II., 

Kitya 

Mafeking,' 

Suzanne,' and many 

of Siamese 

cats in the past, I may mention the Hon. Mrs. 

McLaren Morrison, Lady O'Malley, Lady 

Decies, Mrs. Brodie, Mr. Temple, Mr. Gambier 

Bolton, Miss Moore, Mrs. Elliott Hill, Mrs. 

Cunliffe Lee (owner of the celebrated " Meo "), 

and Mrs. Carew Cox, who later in this article 

will give some account of her " King Kesho " 

and the breed with which her name is still 

associated. Mrs. Herring has 

exhibited good specimens from 

time to time. Mrs. Chapman's 

" \Yally Pug " used to cross 

the Irish Channel to visit 

English cat shows. Mr. Young 

and Mr. Inman, both of Har- 

rogate, favoured this breed, 

and had some lovely cats. 

Mrs. Nield owned a charming 

little female named " Minthamee 

" ; and Miss Sutherland, 

who lives in the south of 

France, used to breed a lot 

of good Siamese from her 

imported " Prince of Siam." 

Several of her breeding have 

been sold in England, and 

have won at shows. Mrs. 

Patton Bethune has often exhibited, and is an 

ardent admirer of the breed. Mrs. Parker 

Brough, in whose care " Tiam-o-Shian IV." is 

placed by Mrs. Vyvyan, 

is well known as a 

Siamese breeder, as is also Mrs. Spencer, of 

Eye Vicarage, who exports quite 

a number of 

cats ; one of her breed owned by Mr. E. 

Ratcliffe is a beautiful animal. Mrs. Vary 

Campbell, the president of the Siamese Club, 

is a generous supporter of the breed. Mr. and 

Mrs. W. R. Hawkins have always had some 

fine specimens ; and Mrs. Hankey, 

Miss H. 

Cochran, Miss Derby Hyde, and Miss Armitage 

are among others who owned some notable 

Siamese cats. Mrs. Backhouse's " Champion 

Eve " was a distinguished prize-winner, and 

Mrs. Robinson's " Ah Choo " was chosen as 

a model for the medal of the Siamese Club. 

But it is chiefly as the owner of the celebrated 

" Champion Wankee " that Mrs. Robinson is 

known in the cat fane}' in general, and among

" " 

Siamese breeders in particular. Wankee 

was the first Siamese to win the title of " Champion." 

He was bred in Hong-Kong, his mother 

' 

Xims " 

being a stolen palace kitten. 

" " 

Wankee was six months old when he 

arrived in England : and was born in Sep- 

tember, 1895. 

He has won over thirty prizes, 

but was never shown till June, 1898, there- 

fore losing the time in which most Siamese 

cats gain their honours namely, between six 

months and two years, when they are pale in 

colour of coat. 

Many are the prize kittens he has sired, too 

numerous to mention. Mrs. Robinson, who 

is a member of the National Cat Club com- 

mittee, has frequently acted as a judge of 

Siamese, and has kindly written the following 

account for this chapter : 

" One of the most beautiful of the short- 

haired cats is undoubtedly the royal cat of 

Si am, and the breed is greatly increasing in 

popularity ; but is never likely to be common, 

as the cats are delicate in this country. The 

best description is that drawn up by the 

Siamese Cat Club in their standard of points. 

The points of the chocolate Siamese are the 

same as the royal, with the exception of 

body colour, which is a dark rich brown all 

over, thus making the markings less noticeable. 

All Siamese cats darken with age, and when 


they get dark there is a tendency to call them 

chocolates. I know of only one real chocolate 

Mr. C. Cooke's ' 

Zetland Wanzies ' 

so con- 

sider them more likely to be a freak than a 

distinct variety. 

" Of the royals there seem to be two types 

in England : 

MR. RATCLIFFE'S SIAMESE. 

(Photo: Hartley, Burnley.) 

the one rather a small, longheaded 

cat, with glossy, close-lying coat and 

deep blue eyes, and with a decided tendency 

to darken with age is generally the imported 

cat or having imported parents ; the other is 

a largerôrt, with a rounder head, a much 

thicker, longer, and less close-lying coat, and 

the eyes a paler blue (these cats do not darken 

as much or as soon as the other type, and have 

generally been bred for several generations in 

England). 

" The kittens are born absolutely white, and 

in about a week a faint pencilling comes round 

the ears, and gradually all the points come. At 

four or five months they are lovely, as generally 

they retain their baby whiteness, which 

contrasts well with their almost black ears, 

deep brown markings, and blue eyes. Some 

kittens are much longer than others in getting 

dense, these making the lightest cats. 

" This breed is said to be kept very care- 

fully in the palace in Bangkok hence the title 

' 

and is by no means the common 

royal ' 

cat of Siam. One gentleman (a missionary),


who had lived there fifteen years, had during 

that time seen only three. A few years ago 

there was a pair of these cats in the Zoological 

Gardens at Bangkok, but they were very poor 

specimens. 

" They have occasionally been given by the 

King as presents of great value, and several 

pairs have come to England in this way ; also 

kittens have undoubtedly been stolen from 

the palace from time to time. 

' 

There is a legend that these cats were kept 

exclusively and with great care in the King's 

palace, as resting places for royal souls. The 

Siamese are Buddhists, and consequently 

believe in the transmigration of souls ; but 

LADY MARCUS BERESFORD S " URSULA. 

{Photo 

with the growth of Western ideas and Western 

scepticism I doubt this being admitted. 

" They are very intelligent, almost doggy in 

their ways, and very affectionate, but not 

universally friendly. The males are great 

fighters, and freely use their terrible voices ; 

but they are well suited for house pets, as they 

seem happiest with their human friends. 

" The first specimens were brought to 

England about twenty-five or thirty years ago, 

and Mr. Harrison Weir says that among those 

who possessed them were Lady Dorothy Nevill, 

whose cats were ' 

imported and presented by 

Sir R. Herbert of the Colonial Office. The late 

Duke of Wellington imported the breed, also 

Mr. Scott of Rotherfield.' " 

Miss Armitage, of Chaseleyfield, Pendleton, 

has sent me some charming photographs of 

her pets. She writes : 

" I have very few cats at present ; I lost so 

and I think 

many beautiful Siamese last year, 

I made rather a mistake in having their skins 

made into mats ! 

' 

Cora,' the mother of my 

Siamese cats and kits, is still a beauty, and I 

really think she improves with age ; and 

though her eyes are not all I could wish for in 

colour, yet her kittens have desired tone of blue. 

always had the 

I have now a lovely 

Cora ' 

and ' 

' 

daughter of Champion Wankee,' 

aged nine months. When she was a few hours 

old I put her to be fostered by our old English 

garden tabby, who makes her headquarters in 

: E. Landor, Ealing.) 

' 

the greenhouse. This kitten has never had a 

day's illness. She leads a wild life, catching 

birds and mice, and nibbling the tips oft the 

ferns much to the gardener's annoyance. I 

am hoping to send her to our next National 

Cat Club show, if I can catch her that day, 

but she is generally up a tree when wanted ! 

" I find the way to succeed in breeding and 

a few. 

rearing Siamese kittens is to only keep 

I strongly believe in putting them forth into 

cottage homes. Distemper spreads 

like wild- 

fire amongst this breed, and it is heartrending 

to lose whole litters at once. It is strange how 

much stronger the females are than the males. 

I have never lost a female kitten yet ; but, 

alas ! many 

a promising male." 

I remember a beautiful male bred by Miss

Armitage that she exhibited at one of the 

Manchester shows. "Sam Sly" was as near 

perfection 

as possible, and after taking 

everything in the way of prizes, medals, and 

championships this fine fellow came home and 

Mrs. Spencer, of Eye Vicarage, to whom 

died ! 

I have alluded as a Siamese fancier, has bred 

so many large litters of kits that I wrote to 

ask if she would kindly give me and my 

readers the benefit of some of her experience 

in rearing young Siamese. She writes in 

reply : 

" My 

' 

Royal 

Siam ' 

came from the royal 

palace, and I consider him a splendid specimen. 

I did not breed from him until he was between 

three and four years old, which may be one 

of the reasons why all the kittens by him are 

so wonderfully strong and healthy. He has 

never ailed anything since I have had him. 

I have never placed him at stud, but have 

allowed a few friends to send their queens to 

visit him. Neither have I ever exhibited him, 

for he is far too precious a pet to be allowed 

to run any risks. My queen ' 

mowne ' 


Princess Mai- 

is also a fine strong cat, a daughter 

of Mrs. Carew Cox's ' 

King 

Kesho ' 

; 

and many 

are the prize-winners bred from these two. I 

heat my catteries during the day 

in winter, 

and at night in cold weather I give the^cats a 

hot stone bottle in their sleeping boxes, for it 

is the damp and cold of our English winter 

nights which are so dangerous. The windows 

of my catteries face south, and this is important 

in rearing Siamese. I always allow my 

cats an abundance of fish ; this I give mixed 

with bread soaked in water twice a day, with 

another meal of something different, thus 

making three meals a day. I boil all the milk. 

Sometimes I give a little cod-liver oil over 

their food with very beneficial results. If the 

kittens have bad colds or any trifling ailment, 

I indulge them with a little finely cut up raw 

beef. I have been breeding Siamese for over 

five years, and I have only lost one kitten of 

my own rearing. I think the reason of my 

success is that I never pass over the most 

trifling symptom of illness, and it is very neces- 

sary to take the temperature 

17* 

of Siamese at 

the slightest sign of sickness. I send a great 

number of kittens away to purchasers, and I 

am most particular in the way I pack the kits 

for their journey. The basket outside should 

be covered with thick brown paper, leaving 

just a square piece in the lid for ventilation. 

Inside I line with new house flannel, and place 

a soft cushion at the bottom, and if very cold 

weather I put an indiarubber hot-water 

bottle under the cushion. If the cats have to 

with the 

pass through London, I arrange 

District Messengers Company to meet the 

cat and convey 

another station. Thus dangerous delays are 

avoided at a very little cost." 

it to its destination or to 

As everyone knows, Lady Marcus Beresford 

has always been especially fond of Siamese 

cats, and many splendid specimens have 

inhabited the Bishopsgate cat cottage. At 

present "King of Siam" and "Khoula," and 

a quaint little female called " It," represent 

this 

and 

breed. In the days gone by "Tachin" 

" Cambodia " were the admired of all 

admirers, and I doubt if ever a more perfect 

pair has landed on these shores. These cats 

were given to Lady Marcus Beresford twelve 

years ago by the late Lord William Beresford, 

who brought them straight from the palace 

at Bangkok. Lady Marcus writes : 

" I never once had any trouble or anxiety 

with them dear, gentle, friendly little people, 

so clever and attractive. I have never seen 

any I have so admired. They had many fine, 

healthy litters, scattered about now amongst 

various friends. My success all round was 

great with them no illness of any kind, till one 

day a fiend ' 

poisoned both Tachin ' 

and ' 

Cambodia,' 

and some of their six months kittens. 

I have replaced them with some bred in 

England ; and my opinion is that, as a rule, 

the imported ones are much the stronger. A 

pair of Siamese imported from the temple at 

Bangkok I purchased from Mrs. Vary Campbell, 

and had the great misfortune to lose them. 

They differed from the royal Siamese, being 

darker and having a more pointed head 

and face, and their eyes were larger and 

fuller.


" I consider that Siamese cats are much 

cleverer than other breeds, and with patience 

can be taught several clever tricks. I in- 

tend to go in more largely for them in the 

future." 

Several of Lady Marcus Beresford's Siamese 

found their way into Mr. and Mrs. Hawkins' 

possession, and were exhibited from time to 

time, always gaining great distinction. Mrs. 

Hawkins possesses a daughter of "Tachin," 

and so hopes to keep up this unique strain. 

Mrs. Hawkins has some of the best arranged 

and very solidly built catteries at Brighton, 

of which I give an illustration. These are 

specially adapted for the breeding of Siamese 

and silvers, the two varieties which find 

favour at Shalimar. A long experience with 

Siamese enables Mrs. Hawkins to write with 

authority, and I give her notes as given to 

me for the benefit of my readers : 

" 

The first thing you have to consider with 

regard to these animals is that when newly 

imported they are naturally delicate, and must 

be hardened off, so to speak, just as our 

delicate foreign birds have to be ; that is to 

say, you cannot treat them at first as you would 

our ordinary fireside cats. If you are for- 

MISS AKMITAGE S " CORA. 

: (I'lioto Salmon Sr Katchan, New Bond Street, W.) 

tunate enough to pick up newly imported ones, 

even if you have to pay a good price for 

them, they will prove a good investment and 

; 

perhaps you may be able to get some from one 

of our numerous cat fanciers, though they are 

very scarce at present and difficult to obtain. 

My advice is to get the best possible pair, and 

let them breed in the spring in the house, if 

you can let them have a spare room, which 

need not be warmed in any way. Leave the 

mother quietly with the kittens ; 

and, having 

provided a warm bed and bedding for them 

previously, leave them to nature as much as 

possible, just going in now and then to see 

that all is going on all right, and giving the 

mother warm milk, etc., and coaxing her to 

get used to you. 

"Siamese cats are particularly gentle and 

affectionate, and if you are kind to them 

they soon get to know and love you. It 

is a pity their nature is not more copied 

by human beings then we should not 

have so much dissension and wrangling in 

our cat fancy. But this is a digression ! 

As the kittens get on it is as well to have 

a warm place outside prepared ready for 

them ; 

but do not put them out too soon, 

and if any show the slightest suspicion of 

cold they must be brought! in and allowed 

to get over it completely before being turned 

out in the garden or outhouses, with the 

others. 

" My own Siamese kittens were born in a 

cat house in my garden at Brighton, but 

they were June kittens, so by that time we 

were having very nice weather. The father 

and mother I had as kittens ; I pulled them 

through their baby ailments successfully, 

and as soon as the weather was propitious 

and sunny I put them in 

their outside houses. Siamese and 

chinchilla kittens (both of which 

I go in for) must be hardened off 

gradually. They are just like English 

children brought from abroad, 

who have to be carefully nurtured 

at first and trained to get used to 

our English climate.

" What we want is to establish a really 

healthy, strong strain of Siamese in England, 

and by following the above suggestions I 

think it is possible to do it not without 

difficulty, as, of course, it takes a little time 

and trouble (like everything else), but what 

is worth having is worth trying for. 

" 

I may say I won with my Siamese at 

Brighton shows every time I exhibited them, 

and am now starting breeding them ; again and 

I think that everyone who will have the 

patience to go in for this charming variety will 

find themselves well repaid, as the kittens 

command 5 to 10 each if successfully reared, 

and sometimes more. Of course, 

one must keep a careful watch 

over their diet, and not over-feed 

(this is a great point, as they will 

contract skin diseases if you do) ; 

but all these things apply as much 

to all cats, and I cannot see why 

Siamese should be more difficult 

to breed and establish thoroughly 

in England than other cats. One 

of mine, a female, is out now (and 

has been all the winter) in a brick 

cat-house, and is perfectly well. 

I have been told Siamese are so 

delicate that people cannot rear 

them. This is often the fault of 

the people themselves, for if they will not 

take a little trouble over animals they cannot 

expect to make money by them. By this 

I do not mean fussing and worrying your 

servants over them. Look after them yourselves, 

see that they are all right every day 

(a good feed twice a day is quite sufficient), and 

then your Siamese will soon be as healthy and 

strong as your other cat?. All the points of a 

good Siamese are so well known that I need 

not touch upon them here. Start with a good 

strain, be careful, be patient, and you will be 

rewarded in the end." 

I have mentioned Mrs. Parker Brough as a 

breeder of Siamese cats, and I am indebted to 

her for the following account of her favourite 

breed : 

" A peculiarity of royal Siamese is that the 


kittens are born quite white, and at about 

fourteen days the points begin to look rather 

grey, turning at two months to a deep sealbrown, 

while the rest of the body usually 

remains white or cream for at least a couple 

of years (the whiskers and claws remain white). 

The colouring process resembles nothing so 

much as that of a meerschaum pipe. There 

are distinct varieties of Siamese known to 

1'AIk OF SIAMESH BKI.ON'aiXG TO MRS. ARMITAGE. 

(Photo : Salmon & Batchan, New Bond Street, W.) 

fanciers the palace or royal cat, the temple 

cat (chocolate), and there is likewise the 

common cat of the country, which is also 

found within the palace. The points of the 

chocolate cat are identical for shows with those 

of the royal except body colour, but the im- 

ported chocolate is often dark chocolate, with 

blue eyes, stumpy tail with a marked kink, 

short legs, and heavy, thick body. There are 

not many chocolates exhibited, owing 

to the 

preference given to the royal variety. 

"It must be understood that there is no defin- 

ite royal breed as such, but the palace breed 

seems to have originated by selection. The 

Siamese as a nation are lovers of anything 

quaint or uncommon, and the white-bodied 

cats in Bangkok seem to have been given to, or 

bought by, the inhabitants of the palace, until

they have established a breed of their own, and 

reproduced the cat that fanciers know to-day 

as the royal cat of Siam. This should explain 

a point which has given rise to much contro- 

versy, as travellers agree 


that other cats than 

royal Siamese are to be found inside the palace, 

yet the King and Prince Damurong have given 

from time to time royal Siamese to friends, 

naturally choosing for a present 

the cat that 

has the most value in their eyes. That is to 

say, 

that the term ' 

cat of Siam ' 

royal 

Siamese ' 

or ' 

royal 

is a descriptive term applied to a 

particular variety of cat, and should imply no 

more than this. We have a parallel case in 

' 

King Charles under the care 

spaniels.' The temple cat is 

of the Jan priests, who have 

the greatest reverence for animal life, and 

whose temple is a sanctuary for all animals. 

'' 

Those who have kept Siamese will readily 

understand that, given a climate to suit them, 

one breed of cat would be left in the 

only 

temple i.e. the Siamese, for this breed is dis- 

tinguished as much by its pluck and activity 

as by hatred for any other breed of cat. The 

common cat of Siam is very much the same as 

anywhere else, except that the Malay kink in 

the tail is to be found in many of them. Until 

recently the Siamese was but little known in 

was to be found in 

Europe, but occasionally 

the various zoological gardens. At present 

to be seen 

there is a fine female specimen 

at the Zoo at Frankfort-on-the-Main, having 

been purchased from the King of Roumania. 

One or two are to be seen at Berlin, and we 

understand some are to be seen at the Hague. 

London has the first one it has had for six 

years, but it is not shown owing to its want of 

condition. 

" A point on which the Siamese fancy is 

divided is whether the ideal cat should have 

a kink in the tail or not. The Club remains 

neutral. 

' 

Champion Wankee ' 

has a decided 

kink, looking, in fact, as though the tail had 

been caught in a door in his early youth. 

' 

Tiam-o-Shian IV.,' on the contrary, has none. 

This kink is a peculiarity of the animals of the 

Malay Peninsula, and sometimes is so marked, 

as to make the tail appear like a corkscrew, 

though others of the same litter may have quite 

straight tails. There is a peculiarity in breed- 

of female kittens 

ing Siamese i.e. the rarity 

in a litter, the average seeming to be five males 

to two females. This may be due to the 

artificial lives so often led by these cats ; and, 

if so, corroborates the theory of Herr Schenk, 

the Austrian doctor, of the probabilities of 

sex at birth. Three of the most noted male 

cats exhibited in England have been Mrs. 

Robinson's 'Champion Wankee,' Mrs. Vyvyan's 

' 

Tiam-o-Shian IV.,' and Mrs. Parker Brough's 

' 

Koschka.' Probably Mrs. Backhouse's 

' 

Champion Eve ' 

and Mrs. Vyvyan's ' 

' 

phema were the best females 

Poly- 

exhibited. 

' 

Koschka ' 

was, perhaps, the finest cat we 

ever saw, having eyes of the most glorious blue 

imaginable. 

' 

Koschka ' 

died after the Westminster 

show of 1900. Owners run a great 

risk in sending their Siamese (especially kittens) 

to shows, as in addition to being more liable to 

take cold, are apt to fret themselves ill at being 

separated from their mistresses. Many fanciers 

are leaving off showing Siamese for that reason 

for instance, the Siamese classes were can- 

celled at the Westminster show of 1903 owing 

to lack of entries. 

" 

It is hard to say how they should be kept 

and how they should be fed. Some Siamese 

thrive by being treated just the same as 

ordinary cats, but they are few and far between. 

We have known cats which have been allowed 

to run about in the snow, and in and out of 

draughts, and remain perfectly healthy ; and 

others, who seem quite strong as long as they 

are taken care of, catch cold and die if they 

get their feet wet. However, if their cattery 

is kept constantly at a temperature of 50 

degrees, and they are fed on scraped beef, milk 

(without boracic acid or preservative), water, 

and vegetables they seem to do better than 

under any other conditions. Personally, we 

have two catteries indoor and outdoor. The 

indoor one is fitted up with ' 

foster-mothers,' 

as used for chickens, on legs about three feet 

from the ground. We find this very necessary 

owing to the draughts on the floor. The rooms 

can be quickly warmed to any temperature

equired, even in the depth 

SIAMESE 'CATS. 205 

of winter. We 

like our grown-up cats loose about the house, 

but it is impossible to allow kittens their full 

liberty when there are many of them, as they 

are bound to get into mischief and do much 

damage to the furniture, climbing up curtains 

and breaking ornaments on mantelpieces and 

scratching leather, etc. Of course, they are 

allowed downstairs a portion of every day 

when their mistress is able to look after them. 

They are most fascinating, frolicsome little 

creatures. The outdoor catteries for use in 

summer consist of a house and greenhouse, 

with covered runs leading from them, and so 

arranged that any or every cat can be isolated 

at will. These arrangements have taken a 

great deal of anxiety off our shoulders. 

" 

This breed is certainly the noisiest, least 

dignified, most intelligent, and most active of 

all the cats. They are dog-like in their 

nature, and can be easily taught to turn back 

somersaults, and to retrieve, and in the country 

take long walks like a terrier. 

" 

If they think it is meal-time and they 

fancy themselves neglected, they cry like 

children. The points of the perfect royal 

Siamese lie in the eyes, which should be a most 

perfect blue, and the contrast between the 

MRS. ROBINSON'S " AH CHOO. 

BKKD BY MRS. VVVVAN. 

'Photo: E. Landor, Baling.) 

MRS. ROBINSON S " CHAMPION WANKEE. 

(Photo : 

E. Landor, Ealing. 

seal-brown of the paws, mask, and tail and 

the white or cream of the rest of the body, 

which should not be disfigured by bars or 

blotches. Age should be taken into consideration 

in judging this contrast. There are many 

beautiful kittens shown that we never hear of 

again after they have grown up, age having 

blurred their coats, thereby making the contrast 

less defined. 

" 

For travelling short distances there are 

few better travelling cases than a Canadian 

cheese box, with holes bored in the side. They 

are cheap (say 4d.), light, and damp and 

draught proof, and can be burnt after once 

using." 

It will be gathered from the accounts given 

by Siamese fanciers that these cats, though 

delicate, with the exercise of care may be 

reared like ordinary ones of other breeds. 

Miss Cochran is very emphatic on this 

point. She says : 

" If Siamese are treated like common 

English cats, given plenty 

of fresh air and 

proper food, they are hardy and healthy ; 

and by proper food I mean a meat diet 

raw shin of beef, and as often as possible


any kind of bird with the feathers on, or 

fowls' heads and mice. The fur and feathers 

act as a mechanical vermifuge. If the Siam- 

ese cats are coddled, they will certainly die. 

They have naturally rather delicate lungs, and 

for these fresh air is absolutely necessary ; 

a close, hot atmosphere and heated rooms 

are fatal." 

Mrs. Carew Cox I have alluded to as one of 

the pioneers of the Siamese fancy, and she 

still remains an ardent admirer of this breed, 

and often acts as judge. She has kindly 

written a very valuable article specially for 

this work, and I have therefore great pleasure 

in giving her interesting experience in this 

on Siamese : 

chapter 

" 

Only those who possess Siamese can under- 

stand how reluctantly a lover of this breed 

takes up a pen to endeavour to do justice to its 

characteristics it is like attempting the impossible. 

One feels one must step softly so to 

speak in the presence of these wonderfully 

fascinating creatures, whose thoughtful yet 

"MAFEKIXG. 

THE PROPERTY OF MRS. VyvyAN. 

penetrating eyes appear to see so far and so 

much, whose intelligence seems almost human, 

and who seldom stay with us for long. Unfortunately, 

these cats are difficult to rear, the 

constant damp of our climate affecting their 

(Photo: E. Lamtor, Baling.) 

lungs and producing frequent colds and coughs, 

lowering vitality and causing debility. 

" 

There are two recognised varieties of this 

breed- the royal and the chocolate. The 

former is certainly the most beautiful in appear- 

ance, the seal-brown points sometimes black 

in adults relieving the pale but rich cream 

colour of the rest of the body, and the brown 

mask forming a grand setting for the superbly 

blue eyes. The mask on the face should circle 

well above the eyes, but should not extend 

into the ear space ; the cream colour should 

be in evidence beyond the circle ; the cars 

should be seal and well and distinctly put on 

i.e. the seal or brown should not merge into 

the cream ; the legs, feet, and tail should be 

of the same shade of seal, the darker the 

better. The tail of a Siamese cat has been

the subject of considerable discussion and 

argument, some preferring the straight tail and 

some the kinked. The former is surely the 

most to be desired for appearance sake ; but 

the latter undeniably adds to the quaint and 

foreign appearance of the cat, and in Hong- 

Kong preference is given to them and higher 

prices paid for 

' 

kinks.' The eyes should be 

large and luminous, of a bright shade of true 

blue, appearing flame-coloured at night or by 

artificial light ; good specimens 

spoilt by small eyes, pale 


THE LATE " KING KESHO." 

(Photo : Phillips, Croydon.) 

are often 

in colour. There 

appear to be two distinct types the compactly 

built, short in body, short on legs, and round 

in head ; and the long-bodied, long-faced, 

lithe, sinuous, and peculiarly foreign-looking 

variety. I am informed that the small cats 

are held in great esteem in Siam, some of the 

females being quite liliputian. It is a matter 

for regret that as the cat ages the beautiful 

clear cream colouring becomes cloudy and dark. 

There have been exceptions to this rule : the 

late 

' 

Polyphema,' owned by Mrs. Vyvyan, 

retained her pale colouring and her welldefined 

points to the last, and was the mother 

of many very beautiful kittens. Male cats are 

generally larger than females, and possess 

voices, which demand instant attention. 

" The chocolate Siamese are of a rich choco- 

late or dark seal, with still more intense points. 

These cats usually possess eyes of rich amber. 

I have Miss Forestier-Walker's kind permis- 

sion to utilise the following most interesting 

and hitherto unpublished extract from a 

letter received by her in October, 1902 : 

' 

I am very pleased to write and give you 

the following information re Siamese cats. 

During a stay of some thirteen years 

in the 

Straits Settlements I have visited Siam on 

several occasions, and on one of these visits 

the present King of Siam gave a friend of mine 

a pair of cats. These cats were what the King 

called palace cats, were very valuable and 

perfect specimens, with short twisted tails. It 

may also interest you to know that the Siamese 

have a superstition about their cats, and like

268 THE BOOK OF THE CAT, 

to have both breeds in their houses i.e. the 

dark, coffee-coloured ones with yellow or 

golden-coloured eyes, and the cream-coloured 

with blue or silver eyes. The idea is that the 

yellow-eyed cats will bring gold 

and the blue- 

eyed silver, hence if you have both breeds 

there will always be plenty in the house.' 

" I advocate that all kittens should be 

reared by healthy English foster-mothers, and 

am convinced that if breeders would adopt 

this plan we should in time succeed in establish- 

ing a far stronger breed of cats. As matters 

now stand, the kittens inherit 

and develop any ailment or 

weakness to which their 

mothers may be subject, so 

that from the very commencement 

of their existence they 

have but little chance of be- 

coming strong and healthy 

enough to withstand our climate 

of many moods. 

" 

Plenty of sun and air they 

require, but damp and draughts 

are fatal. All young kittens 

should be encouraged to take 

exercise ; empty cotton reels 

cause hours of amusement, 

also a rabbit's foot tied on 

to string or otherwise ; corks 

of any description must be 

avoided. Large bones should 

be given when the kittens are two months old 

they assist the growth of teeth ; 

small ones, 

such as of game, chicken, or fish, are dangerous. 

The best and safest of all is a bullock's 

foot boiled down and pulled apart ; 

these bones 

will occupy kittens for a considerable time. 

" Worms cause an enormous mortality 

amongst Siamese, and are, I feel convinced, at 

the root of nearly every ailment from which cats 

or kittens suffer ; therefore, however reluctant 

one may feel as to giving medicine to youngsters 

of tender age, it is better to do this 

than to run the risk of these odious parasites 

establishing themselves, for they are most 

difficult to dislodge permanently. I have used 

Saunder's worm powders 

LADY MARCUS BERESFORD S 

" CAMBODIA." 

with considerable 

success. Of course, the dose for kittens must 

: (Photo E. Laniior, Baling.) 

be administered in minute quantity- just a 

small pinch given in warm olive oil early in 

the morning after an all-night fast. In giving 

the powder to adults I always enclose it in 

capsules. In cases of weakness or exhaustion 

a few drops of brandy or whisky in a tea- 

spoonful of warm milk works wonders. It is 

often necessary to give some sort of tonic after 

medicine of this description. 

" Siamese kittens should be well fed ; not 

much at a time, but little and often lean 

scraped beef or mutton, veget- 

ables, stale bread and gravy, 

boiled fish, rabbit, raw eggs, 

milk (previously boiled); in fact, 

anything light and nourishing. 

The remains of a meal should 

never be left on the floor. 

These kittens' digestions are 

not strong, and their intestines 

are most delicately formed. 

' The colour of the eyes of 

Siamese kittens should be well 

determined at eight weeks. 

They are most interesting and 

playful at this age ; a tunnel 

made of newspapers will afford 

endless amusement, and after 

a long and energetic game oi 

play they will sleep for hours. 

It is not desirable to lift 

or handle them more than can be avoided 

whilst they are very young. In cases of 

bad colds or coughs, a simple but usually 

effective remedy is a mixture of three pennyworth 

of oil of almonds and three pennyworth 

of syrup of violets, mixed by a chemist a 

quarter of a teaspoonful thrice daily (it is abso- 

lutely necessary to shake the bottle thoroughly 

before administering the medicine). For an 

adult an eggspoonful three times daily may 

be given. Cod-liver oil is always safe (also 

the best olive oil), and helps to build up the 

constitution. As a tonic I know of nothing to 

equal 

early 

half-grain (coated) quinine pills, given 

each morning for a few days now and 

again. In cases of bronchitis, Carvill's Air

PUGS PAYING A VISIT TO 

THE SIAMKSK. 

Purifier (about a tea- 

spoonlul) 

should be 

placed in boiling water, 

and the cat or kitten 

made to inhale the 

steam several times 

daily, and particularly 

the first thing in the 

and the last 

morning 

at night. 

" For adults suffer- 

ing 

from bad throat 

complaint and total 

refusal of all food I 

have found no remedy 

to equal the following 

prescription, if given 

in time. I have administered it with great 

success to numberless cats : Forty drops 

Calvert's pure carbolic acid, two drachms 

spirits of wine, six ounces pure water. Not 

quite half a teaspoonful to be mixed with 

a teaspoonful of warm milk, poured down 

the throat three times daily ; for very young 

cats a smaller quantity of the mixture should 

be given. I doubt if it would be advisable to 

give it to young kittens. Even if the cat does 

not swallow the whole dose, it acts beneficially 

as a mouth-wash and disinfectant, apparently 

removing an unpleasant taste and re-establishing 

the power to smell the loss of this sense 

often preventing a sick cat from eating. Weak 

eyes, sickness, and diarrhoea are tedious ailments 

to which all kittens are very subject, 


MRS. HAWKINS CATTKRY. 

and to effect a permanent 

cure the treatment 

must be very persistent. 

" I do not know when 

Siamese were first introduced 

into England, but 

Lady Dorothy Nevill 

some several 

possessed 

years ago. Sir Robert 

Herbert imported some ; 

and Miss Forestier-Walker and her sister (Mrs. 

Vyvyan), who have owned and bred many 

beautiful specimens, first made acquaintance 

with this breed in 1883, and soon afterwards 

were presented with ' 

Susan ' 

and ' 

Samuel ' 

direct from the palace at Bangkok. 'Tiam-o- 

Shian I.' also came from Bangkok. All these 

cats had kinked tails. From 'Susan' and 

' Tiam - o - Shian I.' mated with Mrs. Lee's 

' 

Meo,' Mr. Harrington's 

' 

Moore's ' 

Siam ' 

Medu,' and Miss 

descended, amongst others, 

the following well-known and typical cats : 

' 

' 

Bangkok," Tiam-o-Shian II.,' Goblin, "Kitza 

Kara,' 'Queen Rhea,' ' 

King Wallypug,' ' 

Prince 

of Siam,' ' 

Tiam-o-Shian III.,' 'Adam,' 'Eve,' 

'Cupid,' 'Mafeking,' ' 

' 

Tiam-o-Shian IV.,' ' 

Suzanne,' ' Ah Choo,' 

Rangsit,' 'Vishuddha,'


' 

Tornito,' and ' 

Evangeline.' In awarding 

prizes in the Siamese classes at the Cat Club 

show at Westminster in 1901 1 found ' 

Suzanne ' 

quite the best cat present, and upon referring 

subsequently to a catalogue was not surprised 

to find that Mrs. Vyvyan was her owner. 

' 

Champion 

Wankee ' 

for a long time held his 

own in the show pen, and has sired some very 

good kittens ; but, of course, as is usual, age 

has darkened him. 

"Mrs. Robinson's 'Ah Choo '. and Mr. 

Cooke's ' 

Zetland Wanzes ' 

are well-known 

cats of to-day. Lady Marcus Beresford's 

' 

King 

of Siam ' 

is imported, has glorious 

eyes of sapphire-blue, and sires exceptionally 

he is short on the leg, has a coat 

good kittens ; 

like satin and an excellent constitution. ' 

Royal 

Siam,' the property of Mrs. Spencer, of Eye 

Vicarage, Suffolk (who has bred some of the 

best kittens I have ever seen), is a superb 

creature with eyes of deepest blue ; he was 

given to a friend of Mrs. Spencer in Siam, 

is a genuine royal palace-bred specimen with 

bright blue eyes, a handsome cat with, strictly 

typical points, and he is never ill ! ' 

Miss 

Harper's (late) Curly Tail,' a daughter of 

' 

King Kesho,' was an excellent example of 

the breed, all her points were very good ; 

unfortunately her life was not of long duration 

she died a victim to dropsy. It is so long 

ago since I first possessed a Siamese kitten that 

I cannot remember from whom I purchased 

her ; she was a very perfect little creature, 

absolutely adorable with her quaint way? 

appealing and yet assertive nature. 

" 

After her death from rapid decline I 

tried to put aside all thoughts of securing 

another, and not until September, 1893, did 

I again fall a victim to the attractions of this 

breed, purchasing a female of about one year 

old from Zache, of Great Portland Street. I 

named her ' 

Yuthia ' 

; she was supposed to 

have been imported, had very expressive blue 

eyes, and she lived until February, 1899. 

" 

In October, 1893 immediately after the 

Crystal Palace show I became the owner of 

' 

Kitza Kara,' a very perfect male, bred by 

Miss Forestier-Walker, which won first prize 

and several medals and specials. He also- 

carried all before him at Bath in March, 1894. 

Unfortunately, he died that year from con- 

gestion of the lungs. 

" ' 

King Kesho,' the well-known male (sire 

of many beautiful kittens), I bought from 

Mr. Forsgate in 1894 ; 

he claimed descent from 

the Duchess of Bedford's, Mrs. Seton-Kerr's, 

and Miss Forestier-Walker's cats ; he had 

large bold eyes of a glorious shade of blue, 

and very dark points ; he won many prizes 

and specials, but died in 1897. 

' 

Lido,' a male 

bred by Mrs. Chapman and sired by ' 

Champion 

Wankee,' was descended from some of the 

best of his time ; he was of the long-bodied, 

narrow-faced type, most movements. 

graceful in his 

"Amongst the many females I have pos- 

Cameo ' 

was one of my best, her 

sessed, ' 

pale body colour being relieved by intensely 

dark points ; this little pet died suddenly in 

July, 1896, from failure of the heart's action. 

' Koko ' 

was a very large cat, comparatively 

coarse in appearance for one of this variety ; 

she won the Duchess of Bedford's special at 

Holland Park in 1896, for the best adult 

Siamese. 

' 

Princess To-To,' 1900, bred by 

Mrs. Bennet, became a great favourite ; no 

words of mine could ever do justice to her remarkable 

individuality, her fascinating moods, 

her expressive little face and sense of the comic. 

She loved to be sung to sleep, closing her 

eyes with an unmistakable air of enjoyment and 

confidence, and clearly requesting an encore 

when the song ceased. I taught her to dance, 

and every night at ten o'clock she frantically 

enjoyed prancing round the room on her 

hind legs. 

" Alas, that these little companions to whom 

we are permitted to become so deeply attached 

should be only lent us to brighten our weary 

' 

was 

way for so short a period ! 

To-To ' 

always very delicate, and after lying at death's 

door on several occasions she finally entered 

in ; with her very last breath she crept into 

my 

arms to die. 

' 

Yolanda,' the female I now 

own, was presented to me by Mrs. Hankey, and 

bred, I believe, by Mrs. Foote. She is a small

cat with very blue eyes, and has recently had 

a litter of five kittens by Lady Marcus Beresford's 

' 

King of 

' 

Siam ; these kittens all 

possessed the gloriously blue eyes to which 

both of their parents can lay claim. 

" ' 

Attache ' 

(a neuter) was given to me 

in October, 1900, when six months old, by 

Mrs. Spencer, of Eye Vicarage, Suffolk ; he 

is a very large and powerful creature, with 

massive limbs, and an unconquerable an- 

tipathy to all other cats of any description, 

excepting only my Russian neuter, whose 

presence he tolerates. So great is his aversion 

to even the semblance of a cat, that 

he has attacked a life-size print of an as- 

sertive-looking Persian that acted as a stove 

ornament in the room he occupied during the 

summer months, scratching it several times 

across and across, and then retiring behind it, 

evidently to watch the effect from another 

of view He has large and luminous 

point ! 

eyes, in whose unfathomable depths linger 

many and varied expressions ; he is of a 

peculiarly jealous disposition, capable of intense 

devotion. In spite of his living the 

life of a recluse, he is by no means a victim 

of ennui, possessing his own special play- 

SIAMESE CATS. 2',L 

"ROMEO" AND "JULIETTE." 

THE PROPERTY OF MRS. VARY CAMPBELL. 

(Photo : J. Clat>pcrton, Galashiels.) 

things, which he keeps under one particular 

cushion, hunting them out when he feels 

inclined to play ; for so large a cat he is 

remarkably athletic, and as yet his health 

has caused me no anxiety. 

" It is highly desirable that all who own 

cats should keep a few simple medicines 

always at hand. Personally, I am never 

without the remedies previously alluded to. 

Delay, in neglecting to note and treat at the 

very commencement certain symptoms of ill- 

stitch in 

ness, often proves fatal, whereas a ' 

*ime saves nine,' and may even save one of the 

nine lives that a cat is (or was) supposed to 

possess." 

The love of Siamese cats has not seemed as 

yet to have developed in America, and specimens 

of the breed are few and far between. 

Lady Marcus Beresford sent out two good cats 

to Mrs. Clinton Locke, and I believe several 

fine litters have been reared, and some fine 

exhibits appeared at recent shows. I give 

an illustration of some of these pets, with 

Mrs. Robert Locke, on page 256. 

In the foregoing remarks of noted breeders 

of this variety many useful hints are given, 

and some peculiarities of the breed mentioned.


I would, however, draw attention to a curious 

and rather remarkable fact in connection with 

Siamese cats. 

When they are ill, a sprinkling of white hairs 

invariably appears 

all over the face and head. 

The bright blue of the eye vanishes, leaving it 

a sort of pale opal colour. It often takes 

many weeks before the cat regains its ordinary 

appearance. Harrison Weir, in his allusions 

to Siamese, tells us that he had observed a 

great liking of these cats for " the woods," 

and goes on to describe them as not passing 

along like an ordinary cat, but quickly and 

quietly creeping from bush to bush ; nor do 

they seem afraid of getting their feet wet 

like the feline tribe in general. The male 

Siamese will take a most friendly and parental 

interest in the welfare of madame's family ; 

indeed, he shows a great liking always to have 

the company of a lady, and frets greatly when 

left alone. 

The males are, however, antagonistic to 

others 'of their sex, and fight with a terrible 

persistency. I have heard of a stalwart fellow 

who, being allowed his liberty, cleared the neighbourhood 

of all other wandering toms. When 

made neuter, Siamese become most charming 

home pets, and can be taught to do tricks 

more easily than other cats. The sole objec- 

tion to a Siamese house cat is the trying 

nature of its unmelodious voice. Siamese are 

rather prolific breeders, the litters being generally 

large ones, and the females, as a rule, in 

the minority. 

I do not believe that Siamese will ever become 

common in England, for many reasons. 

These cats are expensive to purchase, difficult 

to rear, and fanciers are afraid to risk them 

in the show pen ; but in spite of these draw- 

backs, I think, as time goes on, and the Siamese 

Club extends its labours, we shall see and hear 

more of these really curious creatures, for what 

we call the royal Siamese bears no resemblance 

to any other cat, 

differences, being 

and the distinguishing 

so great, tend to make the 

breed one of our best show cats and a clear 

class to itself, for the Siamese of the purest 

blood should not be crossed with other cats. 

We have heard of " any other colour " Siamese, 

but these cats of varied hue claiming to be 

Siamese are but the offspring of a cross. We 

have been told of black and blue and tabby 

Siamese ; but the fanciers of Siamese look 

askance at these freaks, and feel that it is 

worse than useless to attempt to produce 

any other variety than that which we have 

learned by custom to designate the Royal 

cat of Siam.

18 

A COSY CORNER. , 

{From a Painting by Madame Ronncr.)

IF 

a census could be taken of the cats in 

England, or even in London, I suppose 

the proportion of short-haired cats to 

long-haired cats would be about ten to one. 

In the cat fancy, however, the breeders of 

Persians in comparison with those of the 

short-haired varieties are far more numerous. 

In former days, when cat shows were first 

held at the Crystal Palace, the premier position 

was given to the short-haired breeds. On 

reference to the catalogues up to 1895 I find 

the following heading at the commencement : 

" Class I. Short-haired Cats : He Cats, Tortoiseshell 

or Tortoiseshell - and -White." Then 

followed the rest of the short-haired varie- 

ties, including Siamese, Manx, and blue (self 

colour). 

The long-haired breeds, therefore, in those 

days had to play second fiddle, so to speak. 

It was in 1896, when the National Cat Club 

took over the Crystal Palace shows, that the 

274 

" ASHBRITTLE PETER.' 

THE PROPERTY OF MRS. E. A. CLARK. 

CHAPTER XXIV. 


place of honour was given to the long-haired 

or Persian cats ; and now, as all the world 

knows or, at any rate, all the cat world 

at every show the short-haired cats are in a 

very small minority. 

At one time not so very long ago there 

was a danger of these breeds becoming 

an unknown quantity at our shows. This 

would have been a grievous pity ; so some 

champions of the household or homely puss 

arose, and Sir Claud and Lady Alexander 

founded in 1901 the British Cat Club, to 

encourage the breeding, exhibiting, and kind 

treatment of these cats. The subscription 

first started at 55., but was reduced to 2s. 6d., 

so as to try to get. members of the poorer 

classes to join and take an interest in the 

welfare of pussy. A goodly number of 

members' names are now on the list, and much 

has been done in supporting shows by offering 

specials chiefly in money and in the

W 

u 

Q 

H K 

X 

O 

I I c 

(Q ^ 

H ^ 

K* 

K ~ 

W ^ 

I 

3! .5 

Q ^ 

2 ~ 

s 

o 

H 

J 

Id 

X w 

u 

generous guaranteeing 

SHORT-HAIRED CATS. 275 

of classes. The hon. I do not think such cats are to be found 

secretary and treasurer is Sir Claud Alexander, now in our midst, and so I presume this 

Faygate Wood, Sussex. There is a Scottish species of long-haired cat has died out. 

branch of this club, of which the secretary is Anyhow, the term " Russian," when now 

Miss Leith, Ross Priory, Alexandria, N.B. 

It was also in 1901 that the Short-haired 

Mr. Gambier 

Cat Society was founded by 

Bolton, whose name is so well known in the 

animal world. At most of the principal shows 

this society is represented, and some handsome 

challenge cups and prizes are placed for 

competition. The hon. secretary is Mrs. 

Middleton, 67, Cheyne Court, Chelsea, and the 

annual subscription is 55., and 2s. 6d. to work- 

ing classes. 

In considering the short-haired breeds, I 

will divide them into three sections viz. 

selfs or whole colours, broken colours, and 

any other distinct variety. The Siamese 

and Manx cats I have dealt with in previous 

chapters, and foreign cats will have a corner 

to themselves later on ; so I propose to deal 

first with those interesting short-haired self- 

coloured cats formerly called Russian or Archangel, 

and which in America are termed 

Maltese. 

There has been a good deal of discussion 

lately as to the points desirable in these cats, 

which of recent years have clearly become 

a species of British cats, and there- 

fore are rightly classed as such at our 

shows, instead of as Russians. Yet this 

latter name sticks to the variety, and no 

doubt there are still some real foreign 

short-haired blues to be found, differing, 

however, in type from those we 

have become accustomed to breed and 

exhibit in England. Harrison Weir and 

John Jennings, in their book on cats 

in the early days of the fancy, deal 

with cats called Russians amongst the 

long-haired breeds, and these are described 

by them as larger in body and 

shorter in leg than Persians, with a 

coat of woolly texture interspersed with 

wiry, coarse hairs. In colour we are 

told they were generally dark tabby, 

the markings being rather indistinct. 

used, is meant to designate the self-coloured, 

smooth-haired cat with which we are all 

familiar. Certainly, the best blues I have 

always remarked are those that have been 

bred in England, or that, at least, can boast 

an English sire or dam ; and, after writing 

right and Jeft to breeders of British cats, I 

have had a difficulty in obtaining any really 

good photographs. I cannot, however, com- 

plain of the pictures of blue short-hairs 

which illustrate these pages, and which 

have been really showered upon me. I have 

failed, however, to be able to illustrate 

the difference between the foreigners and 

Britishers. 

That there are two distinct types of these 

blue cats is apparent to anyone who observes 

the specimens exhibited at our shows. The 

foreign or imported variety have wedgeshaped 

faces, and are longer and larger in the 

head, with prominent ears ; otherwise, in 

colour and coat, they are similar to those bred 

in England, and which partake of the same 

formation as an ordinary British cat. In 

" BALLOCHMYLE BLUE QUEEN. 

BELONGING TO LADY ALEXANDER.


describing the correct texture of coat of 

these short-haired blues, I would compare 

it to plush, for the hair does not lie softly 

on the slope, but has a tendency to an 

upright growth, and yet the coat should not 

have any suspicion 

ness to the touch. 

of coarseness or rough- 

We know the difference 

between silk and cotton plush, and it is to 

the former I would liken the correct coat of 

these blues. Needless to say that, as in all 

MRS. CARKW COX S BLUE MALE 

' 

" 

BAYARD.'.' . 

self - coloured 

cats, the 

colours 

should be ab- 

solutely even 

of a bluish 

lilac tint, 

without any 

sootiness or 

rusty shade. 

As in other 

breeds of 

"selfs," the 

k i t- 

y o u n g 

tcns exhibit 

distinct tab- 

by markings, 

but these 

vanish as the 

coat grows, 

and many a 

ringed tail 

which may 

have caused 

distress to 

the breeder 

will as time 

goes on be suspicion 

proudly held aloft without a 

of any blemish. The blues now 

exhibited appear generally to fail in eye, the 

colour being yellow, and often green or greenish- 

yellow ; whereas a special feature of this breed 

should be a deep orange eye, round and full. 

Another fault which is sometimes apparent 

is too thick a tail, which is suggestive of a 

long-haired ancestor. The following 

is an 

interesting letter from Mrs. H. V. James 

which appeared in Fur and Feather : 

- 

BLUE RUSSIANS. 

I am very interested in the discussion on blue Russians, 

as years ago I had a perfect type of a blue Russian, 

which had been imported. When Russians were 

judged as Russians it won well at shows, so you may 

like to have a description of the cat which is, 

1 

believe, a correct one, according to several authorities 

on Russian cats. A real Russian should be longer in 

the leg than the English blue. The head is pointed 

and narrow ; the ears large, but round tail ; long, full 

near the body, but very tapering. According to the 

English taste, it is not a pretty cat, and only excels 

over the British blue in the colour and quality of its 

coat, which is much shorter and softer than the latter. 

The true colour is a real lavender-blue, of such softness 

and brilliancy that it shines like silver in a strong 

light. The eyes are amber. I think it a great mistake 

to give " Russian " in our show classification 

now, as these are really almost extinct in England, I 

believe, and our principal clubs have been wise 

enough to drop the title for " Short-haired Blues," 

in the same way that " Persian " has been dropped 

for " Long-haired Cats." The last time I showed my 

Russian was at the first Westminster show, in a class 

for Russians. She was, however, beaten by the 

round-headed British blue, although she was, 1 

believe, the only Russian in the class. In iqoi the 

class was altered to " Short-haired Blues," which 

was more correct, as few of the blues shown then had 

anything of the Russian about them, either in shape 

or coat. As hese classes are no-* arranged, it would 

be unfair to judge them except by the standard of our 

own short-haired cats, and I think that if a club wants 

to encourage Russians it should give the extra class, 

" Blue Russian," and let it be judged as such. I 

must own it is disappointing for a Russian owner, who, 

seeing " Russian Blue " only given in the schedule, 

enters his cat accordingly, and gets beaten by a shorthaired 

blue failing in just the points that the Russian 

is correct in. I know my feelings after Westminster, 

1899,' when my Russian was described as " grand 

colour, texture of coat, failing to winner in width of 

head. and smallness of ears." The blue short-hairs 

now shown are, I know, far more beautiful with their 

round heads and shorter legs ; but, unfortunately, 

the beautiful is not always the correct type. As 

British cats, however, they are both beautiful and 

correct, so why not drop the Russian name alto- 

talk with a blue 

gether ? I had a most amusing 

Russian (?) owner the other day, and a good laugh 

" " 

with him over the ancestors of his Russian 

blues. ANNIE P. JAMES. 

At the Crystal Palace show of 1902 Mr. 

Woodiwiss judged the blue classes, and awarded 

first to a cat having the English type of head. 

He gave as his reasons that although he

considered the long nose and thin head the right 

shape for a Russian, yet, he added, "I am not 

here to judge on those lines; I have to judge 

according to the standard, which gives prefer- 

ence to round head, neat ears, and short nose ; 

and, although I really 

blue ' 

Moscow ' 

SHORT-HAIRED CATS 277 

believe Mrs. Walker's 

to be the nearest in type to 

those I have seen in Eastern countries, yet 

according to our English 

it is out of it, and I can only give 

breeders' standard 

it reserve." 

Mr. Mason, our ablest judge of all classes of 

cats, upheld Mr. Woodiwiss in his awards, and 

makes the following remarks in Fur and 

Feather of February, 1003, in reporting on the 

Manchester show : "I hope exhibitors and 

breeders of short-haired self-blues will take 

my remarks in the spirit in which they are 

written. I am glad to see that the Manchester 

committee named the 

classes ' 

' 

Blues (Male) 

and ' 

Blues (Female).' 

To call them Russians 

is a mistake, seeing 

that a very large num- 

ber of those exhibited 

are crosses from some 

other varieties. To 

all intents the self 

blues, as we find them 

to-day, have little of 

the Russian blood in 

them. Then why call them Russian ? Why 

not ' 

SHERDLEY SACHA II." 

self blues," and judge them on the same 

lines as the British short-haired cats ? What 

I want to obtain is a uniform type. To go 

for two op- 

posite types 

in one class 

of exhibits 

cannot be 

right or advantageous 

to breeders or 

exhibitors." 

Breeders of 

short - haired 

blues have 

"SHKRDLEY MicHAKi.." ncverbeen 

18* 

manyin num- 

ber, nor has 

there ever 

appeared any 

startling ly 

good specimen 

in the 

show pen. 

Mr. Woodiwiss 

kept and 

e x h i b it_e d 

several line 

specimens 

SHERDLEV ALEXIS. 

"Blue Boy," 

" 

Blue King," and " Blue Queen." The two 

latter have been passed on to Lady Alexander. 

Mr. Mariner, of Bath, is an old exhibitor and 

great enthusiast of this breed. Mrs. Mjddleton, 

Mrs. Herring, Mrs. 

" SHERDLEY SACHA I." 

Crowther, Miss Butler, 

Mrs. Illingworth, and 

Mrs. Pownall have all 

from time to time been 

possessed of fairly good 

Russians so called. 

Mr. Cole used to show 

a lovely fat-faced cat 

called "Muff," but she 

had green eyes. Mr. 

" " 

Dewar's Firkins 

and Mr. McNish's "St. 

Juan " are blues that have made their name. 

The three principal breeders at the present 

time of these cats are Lady Alexander, Mrs. 

Michael Hughes, and Mrs. Carew Cox. It is 

at the Crystal Palace shows that an opportunity 

is given of admiring the fine team of 

" 

blues from the Faygate cattery. Brother 

Bump " has won a first prize whenever he has 

appeared in the show pen, and, curiously 

enough, each time under a different judge. He 

is a full champion, and special prizes have been 

showered upon him. Besides this handsome 

fellow, 

" 

Blue 

Lady Alexander owns another male 

" 

King and two good females. 

At Sherdley Hall, in Lancashire, there is 

quite a colony of blues owned by Mrs. Michael 

Hughes.


The cats are reared in outside and unwarmed 

houses, with ample wired-in runs. All the 

Sherdley cats are prize-winners. I am able to 

give illustrations of " Alexis Michael " and the 

two " Sachas." The first named has been 

quoted as a typical British blue. 

Mrs. Carew Cox is a most ardent supporter 

and successful breeder of short-haired blues. 

As she has had a long and varied experience, 

I asked her to send me some notes. I have 

effaced before they are many weeks old. In 

one case a kitten (now a large neuter) had 

until five months of age two broad black 

stripes down his back on either side of his 

spine ; they were so decided in appearance 

that it seemed very doubtful that they would 

ever disappear. However, at six months old 

he was a perfectly self-coloured cat ! This 

is, 

of course, most remarkable and unusual, and 

amongst all the many kittens of this breed 

pleasure in publishing them for the benefit of that I have reared for the past thirteen years 

my 

readers : 

" 

Blue 

imported 

short-haired cats many of them 

from Northern Russia make very 

desirable pets, presenting, as they do, a neat, 

smart, ' 

tailor-built ' 

appearance all the year 

there has never been another presenting a 

similar appearance. 

" The eyes of a Russian should be golden 

in colour, or deep orange. To procure deepcoloured 

eyes, experiments have been made in 

round, and possessing the great intelligence crossing Russians with Persians, but the results 

usually to be met with in all short-haired so far as I have seen have not proved satisbreeds. 

They have the advantage over many factory, and to an experienced eye the cross is 

other varieties in that they are, as adults, 

strong, healthy 

cats not at all 

liable, as a rule, 

to pulmonary at- 

tacks. Kittens, 

however, require 

both care and 

patience 

to rear 

successfully, and, 

strange to say, 

attain sounder 

constitutions 

when brought up 

by healthy Englishfoster-mothers. 

Females 

are more difficult 

to rear t han 

males. A Russian 

" MARIA. 

OWNED BY MRS. WOODCOCK. 

(Photo: 

perceptible. I believe there is no really recognised 

standard 

S. Richardson, Standish.) 

of points for this 

breed, which un- 

til quite recently 

was c o m p a r a- 

t i v e 1 y little 

known. I note 

that there is a 

fair demand 

very 

for Russians 

at the present 

time chiefly, 

strange to say, 

from the North 

of England. The 

shape of the head 

in many of those 

imported 

is more 

pointed than 

round ; 

indeed, 

cat should be of 

an even shade of blue throughout, even the some have long, lean, pointed heads and 

skin itself being often in fact, generally of faces, with big ears. The backs of the ears 

a bluish tinge. There should be no stripes 

or bars, and for exhibition purposes there 

should be no white patches. Kittens fre- 

should be as free from hair as possible ; some, 

I remark, are entirely devoid of hair on the 

upper parts of their ears at least, 

if there is 

quently have body markings when very young, any, it is not to the naked 

perceptible^ eye. 

also rings on their tails; but in pure-bred Others, again, have ears covered with peculiarly 

specimens these defects generally become fine, close, silky hair. Some imported blues are

very round in face and head, with tiny ears, 

and eyes set rather wide apart. These are 

surely the prettiest, and are generally given 

the preference at shows ; but, of course, it 

cannot be denied that the long-faced variety 

present the most foreign appearance, more 

especially when this type also possesses a lithe 

and rather lean body. The whiskers, eyelashes, 

and tip of nose should 

all be dark blue. 

" The coat should be short 

and close, glossy, and silver}' ; 

sometimes it is rather woolly 

and furry, Nature having 

evidently provided these cats 

with their warm, close coats 

to enable them to resist the 

severities of their native 

climates, short-haired blues 

existing also in the north of 

Norway, Iceland, and I am 

told in some parts of the 

United States. Many years 

ago some blues (with faint tabby markings) 

were imported from the north of Norway ; 

these were called 

' 


Canon Girdlestone's 

breed.' I owned two very pretty soft -looking 

creatures. Blue-and-white cats have been 

imported from the north of Russia, and are 

particularly attractive when evenly marked. 

" Some blues are far paler in colour than 

others. Amongst my kittens are frequently 

some very beautiful lavender-blues ; I have 

remarked that these are rather more deli- 

cate in constitution than those of darker 

hue. As these cats advance in years they 

frequently become a rustv brown during the 

summer months, or when acquiring a fresh 

coat ; this discoloration asserts itself prin- 

cipally at the joints of legs and feet. The fur 

of a very old cat becomes dull and rough, 

losing the soft and glossy appearance identical 

with the blue Russian in his prime. 

; ' 

There are some people who appear to 

wish to assert that there is an English breed 

of blues, and I have been told strange tales of 

unexpected meetings in country villages with 

cats of this colour, whose owners declared that 

MKS. CAKEW COX S " YUI.A. 

both parents were English bred. As, how- 

ever, it is not always possible to identify the 

sires of household cats, I venture to doubt 

these assertions. It is sometimes possible to 

breed blues from a black English female mated 

to a Russian male. This experiment does not 

always succeed, as some blacks never breed 

blues, although mated several times consecutively 

with Russians. A white 

English female mated to a 

male simply produces 

white kittens at least, this 


1901. In 1890 I owned a very pretty soft- 

looking blue female she was, in fact, a blue 

tabby (one of Canon Girdlestone's breed) ; 

also a male of the same variety. They had 

evidently been the victims of tape-worm for a 

considerable period, and finally succumbed 

owing to the presence of these odious parasites 

in overwhelming numbers. That same year 

' 

Kola ' 

a very pretty blue-and-white female 

became mine. She was imported from Kola, 

and after changing hands more than once 

whilst at sea she was finally exchanged at the 

London Docks for a leg of mutton ! A very 

lovable little cat was 

'Kola,' with very 

round face and very 

soft fur. She lived 

until November, 1900, 

and evidently died 

from old age, becom- 

ing 

feeble and tooth- 

less, but quite able to 

enjoy the soft food 

that was specially prepared 

for her. These 

two old pets 

' 

Dwina ' 

were a 

and ' 

Kola ' 

great loss, after twelve 

and ten years' com- 

panionship.popo 

' 

an extremely 

beautiful blue was 

imported from Archangel, 

very sound in 

' 

Ling- 

colour, rather long in face and legs, sleek, sinu- 

ous, and graceful, peculiarly lethargic in her 

movements, and dainty in her deportment. I 

bought her in 1893, when she was seven months 

old. Unfortunately, a disease of the kidneys 

carried her off when in the flower of her exist- 

ence. 

' 

Moscow ' 

(1893) was a very successful 

blue Russian sire of many kittens ; he won 

many first and special prizes ; he died in 1897, 

during my absence from home. In 1895 Lady 

Marcus Beresford presented me with a very 

handsome kitten a male with a very thick 

yet close coat, and very compact in shape. 

' 

Olga ' 

came to me in 1893 or 1894, and still 

lives ; 

LADY ALEXANDER OF BALLOCHMYI.E. 

(Photo: Lafayette, Ltd.) 

she was imported, and has been a great 

winner in her time, but is getting an old cat 

now. She is the mother of my stud cat 

' 

Bayard,' who was born in 1898, and whose 

sire was ' 

King Vladimir.' 

' 

Fashoda ' 

was 

born in 1896, and was imported ; she is a 

large, strong cat, and a winner of many prizes. 

' 

Odessa ' 

is a 

' 

daughter of Fashoda ' 

' 

Blue Gown.' 

by 

' 

Yula ' 

came to me in 1901, 

and was imported from Archangel. 

' 

Sing 

Sing ' 

(neuter) is the cat that as a kitten 

had the peculiar black stripes down his spine 

alluded to previously He was born on Easter 

Monday, 1899, a 

of 'Fashoda' 

son 

and 

so many winning kittens, 

' 

Muchacho.' He has 

two toes off one of 

his hind feet the re- 

sult of a heavy weight 

falling upon his foot 

when a kitten ; he 

suffered greatly from 

shock, and every day 

foi three weeks he 

paid visits to the 

doctor, who dressed 

his foot, having previously 

amputated the 

toes. The little fellow 

had a sad time, but 

he does not miss his 

toes now. 

" ' 

Muchacho,' the 

stud cat that has sired 

is a son of Mrs. 

' 

Champion Roguey ' 

and my 

Herring's (late) 

(late) 

' 

Lingpopo.' I sold him as a kitten, but 

after two people had had him I again became 

his owner, and now he will never leave me 

until he is called to the ' 

grounds ' 

happy hunting 

that I hope, and think, must be 

for all faithful 

" 

the veil.' 

creatures somewhere 

prepared 

' 

beyond 

In America the classification given for these 

cats at the Beresford Cat Club show is " Blue 

or Maltese," but I have not heard of any ardent 

fanciers of this breed over the water. More 

will be written on the so-called Maltese cat by

one well qualified to give information later 

on in this work. 

I have always been told what delightful pets 

these blues become, being extremely intelli- 

gent and affectionate. Mrs. Bagster, the Cat 

Club's hon. secretary, owns a splendid fellow 

one of Mrs. Carew Cox's well-known strain. 

At the time of writing there is no specialist 

club for short-haired blues, but they are 

included in the list of the British Cat Club, 

founded by those ardent supporters of the 

short-haired breeds, Sir Claud and Lady Alexander. 

No standard of points has been drawn 

up for these cats, but the following definitions 

are descriptive of the two types exhibited at 

our shows : 


BRITISH BLUE (SHORT-HAIR). 

Head. Round and flat, with good space between 

the ears, which are small and well set on. 

Shape. Cobby in build, round quarters, and good 

in bone substance. 

Coat. Short and close, of sound blue colour 

throughout. Legs and feet 

with no bars or markings. 

shade lighter in colour, 

Eyes. Deep orange in colour. 

RUSSIAN BLUE. 

Head longer in formation, has space between the 

ears, more prominent in ears, and well-tapered face ; 

fairly round under the cheek bone, thin, falls away 

under the eye. 

Comes out rather longer in back. Less bone sub- 

stance. 

Colour same as the British short-hair, with no bars 

or markings. 

Eyes deep orange colour. 

BALLOCHMYLE CHAMPION BROTHER BUMP."

\ ND now I will take a general glance over 

j~\ the other short-haired breeds commonly 

called English or British cats. 

As regards points, these are the same as in 

the long-haired varieties. I give a list as 

drawn up by a sub-committee of the Cat Club 

for the use of fanciers and judges : 


White. Colour, pure white. Eyes, blue. 

Black. Colour, pure and rich black ; no white: 

Eyes, orange. 

Torioiseshell. Colour, patched yellow, orange and 

black ; no stripes ; no white. Eyes, orange. 

Torioiseshell and White. Colour, white, patched 

with yellow, orange and black ; no stripes. Eyes, 

orange. 

Silver Tabby. Colour, silver grey, marked with 

rich black stripes or bars; no pure white. Eyes, 

green or orange. 

Spotted Tabby. Colour, any shade of light colour, 

evenly marked with spots of a darker shade or black ; 

no stripes ; no pure white. Eyes, orange, yellow or 

green. 

Brown Tabby. Colour, golden brown, marked with 

282 

SHORT-HAIKED TABBY KITTENS. 

(Photo: C. Reid, Wishaw.) 

CHAPTER XXV. 


- 

- 

_ 

rich black stripes or bars ; no white. Eyes, orange 

or green. 

Orange or Red Tabby. Colour, light orange or red, 

with darker stripes or bars ; no white. Eyes, hazel, 

or golden brown. 

Tabby and White. Colour, any shade of tabby with 

white. Eyes, orange or green. 

N.B. Where more than one colour is given for the 

eyes, the first one is to be third. 

preferred to the second or 

The Sub-Committee, 

FRANCES SIMPSON. 

GAMBIER BOLTON. 

It will therefore be seen that texture and 

length of coat are really the distinguishing 

points between the two varieties. It is just 

as grave a mistake for a Persian cat to have 

a short, close coat as it is for one of British 

type to possess any of that woolliness or length 

of fur which denotes a mesalliance. The commonest 

species of all short-haired cats may be 

said to be represented by broken-coloured 

specimens that is, orange-and-white, tabbyand-white, 

and black-and-white. These sorts

of cats we most frequently see about our 

public streets and in the homes of country 

cottagers. At our shows this type of cat 

" 

which would be classed as any other 

colour " 

is fast disappearing from our midst. 

In America I observe that a class is still 

specially reserved for orange-and-white cats, 

and it would seem that this is rather a favourite 

breed with our cousins over the water. 

A good black, with rich glossy coat and deep 

amber eyes, is, to my mind, one of the choicest 

of our short-haired breeds. These cats are 

often marred by the white spot at the throat, 

and, of course, green eyes predominate to a 

very great extent. As in the long-haired cats, 

blue-eyed whites are coming much more to the 

fore, and on the show bench, at least, we do 

not see many other specimens with yellow or 

green eyes. 

Our British tabbies orange, brown, and 


silver are always well represented at the 

principal shows, and of late years competition 

has been much keener in these classes. It is 

when we come to markings that the longhaired 

breeds must take a back seat, so to 

and the British puss has an easy walk- 

speak ; 

over. In the short, close coat, the broad or 

narrow bands of the darker colour show up in 

grand relief on the ground-work of a rich, 

though paler, shade. The rings round the 

neck and_tail, and the bars on the legs are seen 

to great perfection. It will be easily under- 

stood, therefore, that markings in shorthaired 

tabbies claim the first and greatest 

consideration, and that these should be sharp 

and distinct, great care is needed in mating and 

breeding. 

A serious and rather common defect amongst 

silver tabbies is a tinge of brown about the 

face generally on the nose. Orange-tabby 

ANOTHER VIEW OF LADY DECIES' CATTERY. 

(Pfcoto: Cassell & Company, Limited.)


females are rarer than males. The peculiar 

species known as spotted tabbies is becoming 

very rare, and whereas formerly some of this 

breed were generally exhibited at large shows, 

we now seldom see them. Spotted tabbies are 

usually brown or silver. I do not recollect 

having heard of an orange-spotted tabby. The 

spots should be spread uniformly over the 

body, feet, and tail, and if on the face so much 

the better. A perfect specimen should not 


have a suspicion of a stripe or bar anywhere. 

Harrison Weir considers that 'the spotted tabby 

is a much nearer approach to the wild English 

cat and some other wild cats in the way of 

colour than the ordinary broad-banded tabby. 

Amongst writers on cats : such as Harrison 

Weir and Mr. Jennings priority of place is 

given to the tortoiseshell cat, and this breed 

heads their list of short-haired breeds. So also 

formerly in the Crystal Palace catalogue, to 

which I have before alluded, tortoiseshells lead 

the way. Here, again, the patchy nature of 

the three colours-is or, at least, ought to be 

the distinguishing feature, and the long-haired 

cat of the same variety loses some of its indi- 

viduality by reason of the length of fur, causing 

a mingling or blurring of the colours. 

It is a strange fact in natural history, which 

no one has attempted to explain, that the 

tortoiseshell torn is a most rare and uncommon 

animal. A number of clever fanciers and 

breeders have used their best endeavours and 

patiently persevered in the fruitless attempt 

to breed tortoiseshell male cats. In my long 

experience I have never known of anyone who 

has succeeded, and those specimens that have 

been exhibited from time to time have been 

picked up quite by chance. I recollect, many 

years ago, at the Crystal Palace show, seeing 

the pen of a short-haired cat 

smothered with prize cards, 

and the owner of the puss 

^^^ ^ standing proudly by, informing 

inquirers that it was 

a tortoiseshell torn that lay 

hidden behind his awards. 

This man had been paid a 

shilling by a London cook 

to take away the trouble- 

some beast out of her area ! 

He had taken it away to 

some purpose, and his surprise 

at finding himself and 

his cat famous was amusing 

to behold. 

A very beautiful cat is the 

tortoiseshell - and - 

English 

white when the colours are 

well distributed, the red and black showing up 

so splendidly on the snowy ground-work. I 

must sav I far prefer those cats to the tortoise- 

shells, which are often so dingy in appearance. 

In this breed the male sex is conspicuous by 

its absence. The two breeds that have made 

great strides of late years amongst long-haired 

cats namely, creams and smokes are very 

rarely met with in the short-haired varieties. 

I know, however, of a silver tabby that, when 

mated to a black, throws smoke kittens. These 

are quaint and pretty, with bright green eyes. 

The under-coat is snowy white, and gleams 

through the dark outer fur, giving a very 

distinguished appearance. It is a pity some 

fanciers do not seriously take up the breeding 

of cream short-haired cats, as I think they 

would repay any trouble spent over them. 

They should, of course, be as pale and even

in colour as possible, without any markings, and 

with deep amber eyes. I can only recall one 

or two, and these not at all perfect specimens. 

Amongst our present-day fanciers of shorthaired 

cats I may mention Sir Claude and Lady 

Alexander, who have splendid specimens cf 

many of the breeds. Mrs. Collingwood has 

recently almost discarded Persians for the 

British beauties, being specially partial to silver 

and orange tabbies. Lady Decies for many 

years owned the invincible " Champion Xenophon 

" 

a brown tabby of extreme beauty 

who died in 1902. There are several fine short- 

hairs at the spacious catteries at Birchington. 

Mrs. Herring's name has always been associ- 

ated with " Champion Jimmy," the noted silver 

tabby, and she is also the owner of " King- 

Saul," one of the few tortoiseshell toms that 

appear at our shows. Many other specimens 

have been bred by this well-known fancier. 

Mr. Harold Blackett has a trio of famous 

prize-winning silver tabbies, and Mrs. Bonny 

is a noted breeder of browns and silvers. 

This enthusiastic fancier writes : 

" 

For many 

years past I have devoted myself to the cult 

of the British tabby cat ; it has been my one 

hobby. Really good specimens of browns and 

silvers are scarce. Certainly silvers have in- 

creased in numbers during the last few years, 

and the quality has improved. They are 

difficult to rear, more especially the males." 

Mrs. Bonny's celebrated brown female tabby, 

" 

Heather Belle," died in 1903. A silver 

" 

tabby, 

" 

Dame Fortune Mrs. 

her daughter by . 

Collingwood's " Champion James II." created 

quite a sensation at the Westminster and other 

shows. Miss Derby Hyde has always been 

faithful to short-haired, blue-eyed whites. Mr. 

Kuhnel is noted for his gorgeous-coloured and 

finely marked orange tabbies. Many breeders 

of Persians keep one or two short-haired 

specimens, and I cannot help believing that, 

as time goes on, we shall have a larger number 

of fanciers taking up British cats. 

Harrison Weir, in comparing the two varie- 

" 

ties, writes : I am disappointed at the 

neglect of the short-haired English cat, by the 

ascendancy of the foreign long-hair. Both are 


truly beautiful, but the first, in my opinion, is 

far in advance of the latter in intelligence. 

In point of fact, in animal life, in-that way it 

has no peer; and, again, the rich colourings 

are, I think, more than equal to the softened 

beauty of the longer-coated. I do not think 

that the breeding of short-hairs is yet properly 

understood." 

A correspondent writing to Our Cats, com- 

plaining of the classification for short-hairs at 

" 

shows, say_sj All fanciers of that beautiful 

animal the British cat feel how they are handi- 

capped when they receive schedules of the 

various shows and compare the classification 

of short- and long-haired cats. Far better it 

would be honestly to announce a ' 

foreign cat 

show,' with a rider that a few English may 

compete if they choose. 'Tis a pity, in many 

ways ; for, given a little encouragement, the 

standard of the poor, everyday, homely pussy 

would be raised, and we would not see so much 

wanton cruelty and neglect attached thereto." 

AN AMERICAN BEGGING CAT. 

(Photo: A. C. Hopkins.)


" EBONY OF WIGAN. 

OWNED uy Miss JOAN WOODCOCK. 

: (Photo S. Richardson, Stcmdish.) 

In America short-hairs have not " taken 

on," and at the various shows the specials 

offered are as small in number as the entries 

made. I never hear of. any exportations of 

British cats to American fanciers but ; perhaps 

some enthusiast of the breed will start a short- 

haired cattery. There is certainly room for 

such an enterprise, and the sturdier Britisher 

would more easily resist the trials of an Atlantic 

trip and the terrors of a three days' show. 

I have been fortunate in obtaining -the kind 

assistance of two of our best authorities on 

short-haired cats namely, Mr. H. E. Jung 

and Mr. T. B. Mason. Some notes by these 

competent judges 

will be read with interest. 

Mr. H. E. Jung says : 

" It is a matter of regret that this variety at 

shows is not so fully represented as it should 

be, taking into consideration the large number 

of cat exhibitors. There is no doubt that the 

prettier long-haired variety secures greater 

support from the lady exhibitors. 

" In addition to the characteristic of being 

a native production of the British Isles, they 

have certainly a great advantage in their racy, 

workmanlike appearance, which is lacking in 

the long-haired variety. What is handsomer 

than a sleek-coated black, with its grand, 

golden-amber eyes ; 

white, with its clear blue eye ; 

the workmanlike spotless 

the aristocratic 

silver, with its rich tabby markings, its soft 

emerald or orange eye ; or the pale, lavenderhued 

blue, with its coat of velvet-like texture ? 

'' 

Thanks to such enthusiastic breeders as 

Lady Alexander, Mrs. Herring, Lady Decies, 

Mr. Sam Woodiwiss, Mr. R. P. Hughes, Mr. 

Kuhnel, Mr. Louis Wain, and several 

others, we are not likely to allow the English 

short-haired variety to deteriorate. I myself 

think there has been a great improvement in 

the specimens penned the last few years. The 

fault we must guard against is the loss of size 

and stamina, which can only be averted by 

judicious mating. The increasing number of 

shows in America, the Colonies, and even on 

the Continent, should stimulate breeders of the 

short-haired variety to extend their catteries, 

for no doubt in a few years there will be a 

strong demand for the English-bred, shorthaired 

cat. Up to the present only in England 

has anything like a systematic rule been fol- 

lowed out, which is most essential : in fact, 

the only course possible to obtain good specimens 

is to follow out a system of breeding as 

near perfect as possible for, as in everything 

else where breeding is concerned, the old 

maxim of ' 

blood will tell ' 

holds good. 

" The stud books should be kept up to date, 

and stud registrations should be followed out, 

just as in the dog world. I can imagine 

many of my readers who do not take up cats 

as a hobby saying, ' 

garden cat suits my purpose ; 

The ordinary common 

he is affectionate, 

he catches mice, and that is all 

But how much more satisfactory 

I 

it 

require.' 

is to be 

able to say, 

' 

My cat is blue-blooded, has an 

aristocratic pedigree, is handsome ; he goes to 

shows, perhaps wins, and he is still affectionate ; 

he also catches the mice as well as his brother 

of lower birth and less striking appearance.' 

You must also bear in mind he does not require 

any daintier feeding. I consider it is always 

or horse to own a dis- 

pleasanter in cat, dog, 

tinguished-looking animal than an ill-bred, 

ungainly one that neither pleases nor satisfies 

the eye.


" I would here remark upon the absence of white I have ever seen penned, 

men who take up breeding cats as a hobby, 

and yet the short-haired variety is essentially 

a man's breed. They require very little 

winner of nine 

first prizes and championships, the property 

of Lady Alexander. This cat has held her 

own in her class for the last seven years a 

grooming and attention compared to the long- most remarkable feat. 

haired varieties. 

" 

Several of the most prominent judges of 

cats are also recognised authorities in the dog 

Silver tabbies I must certainly class 

among the most aristocratic of the breeds. 

Fanciers will tell you how difficult it is to 

mention the late Mr. Enoch obtain a good one. Either the tabby mark- 

world. I may 

\Ydburn ; Mr. F. Gresham, the keen, 

' 

allround 

' 

judge ; home both in 

Mr. 

one 

L. 

or 

P. C. Astley, also at 

the other Mr. Sam ; markings are not distinct, or the eyes 

Woodiwiss, the well-known fancier and expert ; 

Mr. Lane, who also adjudicates on both breeds ; 

and Mr. Louis Wain, to whom we are indebted 

for those delightful pictures depicting cat life. 

" Tortoiseshells are most difficult cats to 

breed. Either they come too dark or too 

light, or the colours are not sufficiently well 

blended. One of the singularities of the 

breed is the nearly entire absence of males 

in every litter ; in fact, I remember the 

saying was that a tortoiseshell torn was as 

scarce as the dodo. At the 

present time, however, we 

have two good toms viz. 

'Champion Ballochmyle 

Samson,' winner of no fewer 

than twelve first prizes and 

championships, the property 

of Lady Alexander, and 

' 

Champion King Saul,' 

winner of numerous cham- 

pionships and first prizes, 

owned by Mrs. Herring. 

Both these males are very 

good, and whenever they 

have been penned together 

ings are not clear, nor sufficiently defined, 

the black is jjot dense enough, the butterfly 

are not 

of the correct colour. To get anything like a 

perfect type in silvers is a great feat, and only 

the outcome of judicious mating. One of the 

great faults of many 

silvers on the bench to- 

day is that they are deficient in size, and unless 

it has always been a difficult matter for me to we attend to this I am afraid that shortly we 

decide the winner. In females, ' 

Bountiful Bertie ' 

Ballochmyle are likely to produce a diminutive type which, 

' 

(sire, Champion Balloch- of course, is greatly to be avoided. I myle Samson '), also the property of Lady 

hardly 

think this breed is 

sufficiently supported, 

into consideration the richness in colour 

Alexander, winner of several firsts and cham- taking 

' 

pionships ; Fulmer May,' the property of and markings of the silver tabby. 

Lady Decies, winner of many firsts they are 

both grand females, of the right colour and pion Jimmy ' 

type ; the tortoiseshell-and-white ' 

SLEEPING AND WAKING TABBIES. 

(Photo : T. Fall, Baker Street, W.) 

" Among the many winning males, ' 

Cham- 

stands out very prominently, 

Champion having won numerous championships and 

Ballochmyle Otter,' the best tortoiseshell-and- first prizes ; he was the property of Mrs. Herring.


Others of note were ' 

James II.,' the property 

of Mrs. Collingwood ; 

' 

Sedgemere Silver King,' 

owned by, Mr. Sam Woodiwiss. Prominent in 

the female classes were the noted queen, 

' 

Champion Shelly,' owned by Mr. H. W. 

Bullock, shown some years ago ; by that 

noted sire, 

' 

King of the Fancy,' owned by 

Mr, Sugden. It is notable he sired both 

' 

Champion Jimmy ' 

and ' 

Champion Shelly.' 

'Silver Queen,' winner of many firsts and 

specials, the property of the Hon. Mrs. McLaren 

' 

Morrison ; Sedgemere Silver Queen.' owned 

Mr. Sam Woodi- 

by 

wiss; 'Silver Queen,' 

the property of Mr. 

Harold Blackett ; 

and that grand female, 

' 

Sweet Phillis,' 

the property of Mrs. 

Herring. 

" Very few good 

brown tabbies are 

benched,, and breed- 

secured for his owner numerous champion- 

ships, first prizes, and specials, afterwards 

changing hands and becoming the property of 

Lady Decies. still following up his winning 

career after an unbroken record of ' 

second to 

none.' I think I am correct in saying this 

cat has won more money and specials than 

any short-haired cat ever exhibited. 

" 

Red tabbies, again, are one of the difficult 

varieties to obtain. The dense, dark red tabby 

markings against the light red ground is only 

the result of judicious mating and breeding. 

" Among the many notable males, ' 

Bal- 

lochmyle Perfection,' 

the property of Lady 

Alexander, winner of 

some 100 first prizes, 

championships, and 

specials, the sire of 

' 

Champion Ballochmyle 

Goldfinder' and 

' 

Ballochmyle No 

Fool ' 

(the mother of 

'Ballochmyle Red 

Prince '), stands out 

ers, I am afraid, . 

get 

very disheartened at 

the : result of their 

efforts. I despair to 

think of the litters I 

have seen, and not 

a good one amongst 

them. The rich 

bro\vn sable colour 

is . very seldom met 

with, and now that the world-renowned champion 

of champions, ' 

Xenophon,' is no more, 

' 

' 

we have only Flying Fox and ' 

' 

King of Lee 

anything like the type you expect in this handsome 

breed. Of ' 

' 

Champion Xenophon I am 

' 

afraid we can truly say, We shall ne'er look on 

his like again.' His wonderful colour, markings, 

and size approached the ideal short-haired 

cat. I believe he was either bred by Mr. 

Heslop, or came under his keen very p 

A BLACK-AND-WHITE BKITISHKR. 

(Photo: A. IVarschcan'ski, St. Leonards-on-Sea.) 

eye, and, like 

a good many others, was brought down south 

by that fancier to make a name. 

"He was claimed by Mr. Sam Woodiwiss, 

who showed him for some years, and he 

r o m i n e n t ly. 

' 

Champion Perfection,' 

despite his ten 

years, has still the 

grand dense markings 

and colour as of 

old. In ' 

Ballochmyle 

Perfection' we have 

a chip of the old 

block. Then a later red tabby, Mrs. Collingwood's 

'Clem,' is a good-coloured red. Mr. 

Kuhnel, of Bradford, for many years held 

his own in this handsome breed in fact, most 

of the present-day winners can be traced, from 

that fancier's cattery. 

" 

Blues (self-coloured). There seems to 

be a great difference of opinion as to the 

shape and make of head of these cats. Some 

judges look for a round, full head of the 

English-bred cat; others, the long head of 

the Eastern variety. I think that difference 

arises to a great extent according to where 

these cats originally came from. I have 

heard the opinions of some who give Arch-

CO 

H < 

o 

o 

CO ^ 

z < 

H 

D 

J 

CQ

angel as the port of origin ; others, Malta. 

If the cat originated from Archangel, one 

would naturally expect a long head of Eastern 

type. The specimens, however,, from Malta 

have certainly the round head and more of 

the English-bred type. The chief points, in 

my opinion, apart from the shape of head, is 

body colour, shape, colour of eye, and closeness 

of coat. They are no doubt a very handsome 

breed. In colour they are a light blue, with a 

delicate lavender bloom pervading the whole 

coat. 

" Of the many good 

my memory, ' 

Moscow ' 

winner, owned by Mrs. Carew-Cox ; 

Ballochmyle Blue King,' 


ones that come to 

(Russian-bred), a big 

difficult fault to breed out. It is noticeable 

that the females in this breed are so very 

small, and in marked contrast to the toms. 

" The chief points one desires in this breed 

are closeness of coat, size, and a distinct light 

blue eye (not washy). Among the numerous 

winners are ' 

Ballochmyle Snow King,' formerly 

owned by Mr. Sam Woodiwiss, and now the 

property of Lady Alexander ; 

Billie 

' 

Blue Eyes and ' 

' 

Ballochmyle 

Biddy Blue Eyes,' the 

property of Mrs. Herring. 

" BJackiy ~I am sorry to say, are some- 

what neglected, considering how striking they 

are. The dense black coat, the contrast- 

" CHAMPION BALLOCHMVLK OTTEK," TORTOISKSHKLL-AND-WH1TE. 

' 

OWNED BY LADY ALEXANDER. 

Champion 

winner of seven 

championships and first prizes, owned by Lady 

Alexander; ' 

Champion Brookside Iris,' late 

owner Mrs. Pownall ; 

' 

Blue Boy,' owned by 

' 

Mr. Sam Woodiwiss ; Ballochmyle Brother 

' 

Bump and ' 

Ballochmyle Sister Goose,' the 

property of Lady Alexander a big winner. 

" 

White English cats appear to have lost 

less in size than many others, as two of the 

largest winners of to-day viz. ' 

' 

Snow King and ' 

Eyes ' 

Ballochmyle 

Ballochmyle Billie Blue 

will testify. The white retains the 

racy, workmanlike character of the true 

English-bred cat. One fault is very prevalent : 

they lean very much towards a broken coat 

(a good many of the white cats penned to-day 

have this failing) ; it is, no doubt, a very 

19 

ing grand amber eye, should always find a 

weak spot in the heart of every exhibitor of 

the short-haired varieties. The points we 

look for are chiefly closeness of coat, the black 

of great density, pure amber eyes set in a 

good round head topped with small ears. I can 

well imagine my readers will say, ' A pure 

amber eye how is it to be got ? It is such a 

rarity.' 

I know, however, that by careful 

mating it is not only possible, but most 

distinctly certain, as Mr. R. J. Hughes, 

the late owner of that lovely female ' 

Amber 

cats I have seen, 

Queen,' one of the best-eyed 

can testify. He, in fact, has bred many of 

' 

Amber 

winner of numerous firsts and cham- 

the best-eyed winners of late years : 

Queen,' 

pionships, the property of Miss Una Fox ; 

' 

Ballochmyle Black Bump,' owned by Lady

290 


Alexander, and formerly the property of Mr. 

Hughes ; 

' 

Sedgemere Black King,' winner of 

several championships and first prizes, originally 

owned by Mr. Sam Woodiwiss. 

" 

An explanation may be deemed due to 

my readers for having included blues amongst 

the English types, but as the clubs have 

recognised this breed, and sanctioned their 

being catalogued amongst the English exhibits, 

I felt justified in adopting this course ; more 

" CHAMPION BALLOCHMVLE PERFECTION. 


particularly as the country of origin still 

remains a matter of speculation." 

Mr. T. B. Mason's name is a household 

one in the cat fancy, and 'this most popular 

judge has been kind enough to set down 

some of his many experiences, and a little 

of his universal knowledge, for the benefit of 

my readers. 

" For more than twenty-five years I have 

taken a very great interest in all our minor 

pets, so the breeding and exhibiting of cats 

has had a large share of my attention. I look 

at the past, and compare it with the present, 

and I am more than satisfied with the progress 

made and the high-water mark of excellence 

attained. In the 'eighties, when that noted 

North Country breeder the late Mr. Young, of 

Harrogate, was hard at work laying the 

foundations of markings and colour in the 

silver tabby, orange tabby, and the tortoise- 

shells, which has resulted in making the strains 

of the North Country short-hairs so far ahead 

of all others, he had little or no idea that in so 

brief a time the cat fancy would develop into 

such an important one as it is at the present 

time. In recent years we have seen the 

National Cat Club, the Cat Club, and a great 

many specialist clubs formed for the special 

object of breeding cats to perfection in colour 

and markings. Standards have been made and 

issued by noted breeders, who have met 

1 

1 

together and have exchanged 

ideas, so that at the present 

time we have standards that 

are ideals of perfection. 

Shape, colour, markings, coat, 

and colour of eyes for each 

separate variety are all plainly 

stated. All this interest, to- 

gether with the holding of 

many big shows in different 

parts of the kingdom, have 

brought into prominence a 

great host of fanciers, includ- 

ing many ladies holding high 

positions in the best class of 

society. No wonder, then, 

that there should be a call for 

a standard work dealing with all varieties of 

cats. In the few remarks I have to make 

on short-haired cats I shall take the self 

colours first. They are, I believe, our oldest 

variety ; the black or the white cat is to be 

found in many a household. In some parts 

of the North when I was a boy it was said 

to be a sign of good luck to have a sound- 

coloured black cat, with a coat like a raven's 

wing, 

with not a white hair to be found 

in it. If you have one like this in your 

home, with a good round head, neat ears, and 

rich orange eyes, let me ask you to take great 

care of it. If you reside in a district where 

shows are held either in connection with the 

local agricultural society or in the winter 

time in the town hall in connection with the 

local fanciers' society by all means enter it, 

and you will find you have an exhibit of 

real value. We possess grand examples of 

first-class blacks in Lady Alexander's ' 

Black

' 

Decies' Charcoal ' 

and ' 


Sham- 

Bump,' Lady 

rock,' Mrs. Nott's ' 

King of Blacks,' and many 

other present-day winners. In 

' 

Lady Alexander's Snow King,' 

self whites 

' 

Billie Blue 

Eyes,' 

' 

Prickly 

' 

and Snow Bump ' 

Pearl ' 

' 

White Devil ' 

; Mrs. Western's 

and the Hon. A. Wodehouse's 

; 

are about the best living, and 

in condition and coat hard to find fault with. 

The eyes of the self white must be a rich- 

coloured blue. The shorter and fuller you 

can get both the self black and the self white 

the better will be the chances of their winning 

prizes ; a long, coarse coat, big or badly seton 

ears, and long, thin, snipy faces are little 

or no good in the show pen. In your breeding 

arrangements you do not need at this time 

of the day to make many experiments. In 

breeding self whites the great aim is to obtain 

shape and colour of eyes. So many good sires 

are to be obtained that if you are deficient in 

bone, shape, or colour of eyes, you can with 

careful mating obtain these in some cases 

with the first cross. My opinion 

is that in 

breeding whites no other colour should be 

mixed with them. In the breeding of blacks 

you are altogether on another matter. It is a 

well-known fact that the cross with the self 

blue is a most distinct advantage. It not only 

gives 

tone and soundness to both the blue and 

the black, but it also adds lustre. 

" For a long time we have called the 

self blues Russians. No doubt they, in 

the first instance, came from the East ; but 

since they were imported into this country 

they have been mixed in a great measure with 

self blacks, and in some cases with long-haired 

blues, to get strong, short, round heads, so 

that at the present time we have very few 

pure-bred Russians in this country. 

' 

My advice to those who are breeding self 

blues or self blacks is, by all means put one 

cross of blacks in the blues, especially if the 

black has orange eyes. It is in eyes that most 

of our self blues fail. Let me, however, give 

here a word of warning. Do not mix the 

colours too often, or you will get the blues too 

dark or nearly like black. If yon get one 

cross of the black and blue, use it as it should 

be used, by mixing the offspring 

well to- 

gether. I know a great many breeders are 

not in favour of this in-breeding. This is, 

without doubt, their loss. In all branches 

in-breeding 

" To go outside at every cross, or too 

often, brings 

is the sure road to success. 

with it a lot of trouble and 

disappointment. To all my advice is, having 

got the strains of noted sires in your youngsters, 

so mix them that all the good and little of the 

bad points will come out as the result of your 

breeding. That you will not get all winners 

is a sure conclusion, but my experience is 

and it is formed after thirty years' breeding of 

fancy pet stock that in this way you are 

more likely than in any other to breed winners. 

Anyone who has seen Lady Alexander's 

' 

Brother Bump,' Mrs. 

' 

Hughes' Alexis,' Miss 

' 

Butler Ayton's Blue Bell ' 

and ' 

Blue Stock- 

ings,' 

Mrs. Carew-Cox's ' 

Dewar's ' 

Firkens ' 

Fashoda,' and Mrs. 

cannot but fall in love with 

this colour. All that is needed to make this 

one of our most popular varieties is uni- 

formity in shape. In my opinion these cats 

should be judged on the same lines as our self 

blacks and self whites. 

" I now come to the tabbies silver, orange, 

and brown. What a 

lovely variety they 

are, and what a fine 

picture any 

of the 

MRS. BAKKKK'S " TYXESIDE LILY." 

(Photo : E C. Fanner, Bedford.)

MISS HARPER'S CATTERY, BRIARLEA, HAYWARD'S HEATH. 

ANOTHER VIEW OF BRIARLEA CATTERIES. 

(Photo: E. Harper.')

three colours makes if they are seen in full coat 

! and .clear markings In silvers the old-time 

champion ' 

The Silver King ' 


was without a 

doubt the foundation of most of our present-day 

winners. Mrs. Herring's 

' 

Jimmy,' the noted 

female 'Shelly,' and a host of others that at 

the moment I cannot remember are worthy of 

the great deeds of the past. In the present day 

champions are to be found Mrs. Collingwood's 

' 

James II.,' Mrs. Herring's 

' 

Sweet Phyllis,' 

Mrs. Bonny's 

' 

Heather Belle ' 

and ' 

' 

' 

Belle of Bradford,' Mr. Thompson's 

Rufus,' and Mr. Kuhnel's ' 

A CORNER OF THE BOSSINGTON CATTERIES. 

(Photo: A. J. Anderson & Co., Litton.) 

Dame 

Fortune,' Mrs. Turner's ' 

Western's ' 

Princess,' and last, but not least, 

Mr. Blackett's noted team, including ' 

Silver ' 

and ' 

Silver Star.' In the orange we have a 

Masterpiece,' Mrs. 

strong lot, including Lady Alexander's capital 

' 

team 

Red Prince,' ' 

Miss Per- 

Perfection,' ' 

fection,' and ' 

' 

Mother Pop 

' 

Dr. Jim,' Mrs. Collingwood's 

' 

Clem ' 

19* 

Mrs. Temple's 

and 

Red 

Coronation King,' 

all of them getting close on the standard both 

in colour and markings. 

" In browns the old champion ' 

Xeno- 

phon ' 

any colour ever seen in the show pen ; his 

is, to my mind, the best tabby of 

picture is before me as I pen these lines. I 

well remember giving him the first and 

special for best cat in the show ; since that 

time how many times he has won the championship 

I cannot say. His loss will be 

great, both to the fancy and also to Lady 

' 

' 

Decies. Flying Fox (the property of Messrs. 

Ainsley and Graham), Mrs. Pratt's ' 

' 

and Mrs. Oliver's Danefield Vera ' 

Jacks,' 

- 

Tommy 

are 

all good ones ; but in this colour of tabbies 

the competition is not half so keen as it is in 

silver and orange.


' One standard governs all the three colours. 

The ground or body colour must be pure, 

and clear from any other colour. In a great 

well-marked ones I meet in the show 

many 

pen the rusty brown tinge on nose, ears, 

and brindled in the body markings puts 

them out of the prize list. It is a great mistake 

to cross the silver tabby with the brown 

tabby or with one that has in its pedigree the 

brown tabby blood. If the black markings 

need a darker shade, my advice is use for once 

the self black. If you 

do not get the desired 

effect the first cross, 

the youngsters mated 

together have been 

known to breed some 

really good ones. By 

all means, if possible, 

get into your silvers 

green eyes. I am 

aware that the standard 

says green or 

but in all 

orange eyes ; 

cases where the com- 

petition is very keen 

the orange eyes are a 

distinct disadvantage. 

" In the breeding of 

the orange tabby you 

need to be very care- 

ful. The use of the 

tortoiseshell has been 

found to be very advantageous ; in fact, some 

of our best orange tabbies have been bred 

from the tortoiseshells. The mixing of these 

two varieties, if done carefully, will bring 

success on both sides ; but care should be 

taken not to bring too much of the tortoise- 

shell into the orange, or, on the other hand, 

carry too much orange 

into the tortoiseshell. 

The pale yellow eye in an orange is a great 

point against it winning in the keen competition 

which we have at the present time. 

" The eyes must be a very rich orange, 

to match the body colour, which should 

be two or three shades lighter than the 

markings. 


(Photo : Russell & Sons, Crystal Palace.) 

" In the browns we have two distinct 

colours the sable colour and the old brown 

colour. The old cat that I have referred to 

of Lady Decies' was a sable tabby. No doubt 

this colour is the more taking of the two, but 

both are useful, and the old brown coloui 

must not by any means be overlooked in our 

liking for the sable colour. In all the colours of 

tabbies we find that the chief bad points are 

the white lips in the sables mostly, the white 

spots in the chest in our orange, and the rusty 

colour in our 

mousy 

silvers. The colour of 

eyes, too, in our 

browns and sables is 

far from what it ought 

to be. Some eyes are 

a pale green, some a 

pale yellow. All this 

p roves that the 

breeders at times go 

too far in the out- 

crossing, and bring in 

with it faults that 

crop up when those 

crossings are nearly 

forgotten. 

" In the breeding of 

browns nothing more 

is needed than what 

we have namely, 

the sable colour ones 

and the old coloured 

browns. The blending together of these 

two colours will put any breeder on the high- 

way to success. I am more than surprised 

that this variety is not stronger than it is 

at the present time. I am sure, of all the 

race and colours of tabbies they are the easiest 

to breed, and yet we find they are the fewest 

in number at our big shows. In looking for 

a real good tabby, do not miss the chest, feet, 

and tail. We have a great lot of good cats if 

and colour were all that was 

body markings 

needed, but when it comes to the ringed tail, 

the rings around the chest, and the markings 

right down to the toe ends, then they ' come a 

cropper,' as we say in the North.

w 

CO 

u 2 

< 

i 

SHORT-HAIRED CATS. 29: 

' ; 

One more important point before I finish. 

' 

Champion King Saul.' Females are very 

What a painful task it is to the judge to find strong, and well represented 

in Mrs. Pratt's 

all-round ex- 

' 

Tib of Rochdale ' 

and 

very good 

hibits that have plain 

head markings. The face 

and cheeks are right in 

ground colour ; and the 

pencil markings on the 

fore-face, running into 

the markings behind the 

ears, and those on the 

cheeks are of the faintest 

colour, and in many cases 

broken. Such head 

markings and colour spoil 

many otherwise really 

good cats. 

" I now come to the 

tortoiseshells a mixture 

of orange and black. I 

Messrs. Graham and 

Sunine.' 

" 

The tortoiseshell-and- 

Ainsley's ' 

white is a most lovely 

and taking variety, com- 

monly called the 'chintzand-white 

' 

in our homesteads. 

Very few and 

far between are good 

specimens to be found, 

and yet in the show pens 

these tri-colour cats have 

a great advantage over 

their fellow-felines. Lady 

Alexander has exhibited 

some splendid tortoise- 

shell - and - whites, 

have dealt with mixing of 

MRS. A. M. STEAD'S BROWN 

lochmyle Otter 

TABBY. 

colours in my remarks on 

(Photo: E. N. Collins, South Norwood.) 

the orange tabbies. All 

' 

being 

one of the best (see illustration, 

page 289). A very 

I need say here is, mind that in your tortoise- common drawback in this variety is the mix- 

shells you do not get the orange markings, ture of tabby with the orange and white, 

The most successful breeder in the North of instead of the patches of black. I feel sure 

this variety the 

late Mr. Young, of 

Harrogate made 

tabby markings in 

a tortoiseshell a dis- 

qualification in the 

show pen. The pre- 

sence of any white is 

also a very great 

drawback, and this 

is often found in 

small patches on the 

chest or on the belly. 

You can have both 

' 

Bal- 

if this variety were 

only taken up more 

we should see a 

remarkable advancement 

both in markings 

and in colour. 

The patches white, 

orange, and black 

in an ideal specimen 

should be, if possi- 

ble, about equal in 

number, and well 

placed on the body, 

head, and feet ; they 

look very charming 

when you see a 

too light and too 

-MRS. COLLINGWOOD S '' 

JAMKS II. 

(Photo : Russell & much orange colour, 

Sons, Crystal Palace.) 

or you can have 

really good one. I 

them too dark or too much black. Equal hope a few more fanciers and breeders of 

colours and well mixed is about the right short-haired cats will be coming forward, so 

thing, with good orange eyes. At the present that the number exhibited at our shows may 

time we have Lady Alexander's and Mrs. steadily increase." 

Hei ring's males 

' 

Champion Samson' and In this hope I do most heartily join, for

2Cj6 THE BOOK OF THE CAT. 

although my name is mostly connected with 

the long-haired breeds, I am such a lover of 

all cats that I feel as anxious for one variety 

as another to obtain friends and favour. It 

that the 

is specially in the South of England 

interest in our short-haired breeds is on the 

wane, and it behoves all fanciers to strive to 

assist in keeping alive the love of the British 

cat in our midst. 

In 1902 Sir Claud and Lady Alexander 

most generously guaranteed the whole of 

these classes, and although they themselves 

made a very numerous entry, yet there was a 

" BEN-MY-CHREE." 

deficit to pay of several pounds, a thing which 

ought not to be. 

I find that the Manx, Siamese, and blues 

are generally able to take care of themselves 

at shows, or they have clubs and secretaries 

who look after their interests; but the " common 

or garden " puss needs a kindly hand to assist 

in drawing him to the front, for, as that wellknown 

lover of " the domestic cat," Harrison 

Weir, writes, " Why should not the cat that 

sits purring in front of us before the fire be 

an object of interest, and be selected for its 

colour, markings, 

OWNED BY Miss G. E. SILLAR. 

(Photo: J. W. Thomas, Colwyn Bay.) 

and form ? "

IT is not intended in the following 

297 

BURMESE CAT. 

(Photo: E. Latuior, Baling) 

CHAPTER XXVI. 

SOME FOREIGN CATS. 

notes to 

enter into a description of the various 

beautiful and interesting wild felines, for 

although some of these such as the Ocelot, 

the Geoffrey's Cat, and the Wild Cat are not 

infrequently seen in the pens at our leading 

shows, such matter really comes more within 

the province of a natural history than of the 

present work. 

Two varieties alone may justly 

claim some 

slight attention here, these being the Egyptian 

cat (Felis maniculata] and the European wild 

cat (F. catus). It might reasonably be 

imagined that our common cat was derived 

from the last-named, considering that at one 

time it was a common animal all over England, 

as well as on the Continent. The untamable 

ferocity of this variety which is probably the 

least amenable of all living creatures has 

doubtless prevented its ever having been 

domesticated, and the high value which, as 

we learn from old writings, was placed upon 

the domestic puss at a time when the wild cat 

was a common animal in England, plainly 

show that F. catus was not the ancestor of 

jF. domestica, although the two will freely inter- 

breed. Many years ago, for instance, the old 

Spanish wild cat which used to be kept 

at the 

Zoological Gardens in the so-called aviaries, 

now occupied by the civets, mated with his 

cage mate a tortoiseshell-and-white queen - 

and of these cross-bred kittens both Sir Claud 

Alexander and the writer of these lines pos- 

sessed specimens. 

It is usually assumed that the Egyptian or 

Caffre cat is the progenitor of the majority of 

the domestic cats. This is the variety which 

was domesticated, revered, and embalmed by 

the ancient Egyptians. It is found over the 

whole of Africa, and it is quite easy to under- 

stand how, with its eminently tamable disposition, 

it gradually spread over Europe. Our 

so-called Abyssinian cats, to which reference 

will be made later on, bear a very striking 

resemblance to this handsome variety of cat. 

The domestic cats of other parts of the


world, however, are undoubtedly derived from 

the smaller wild cats of the- countries in question. 

Thus it is probable that several varieties 

have a share in the creation of the Indian 

domestic cats, of which Blyth distinguished 

two varieties. The fulvous variety he con- 

sidered to be derived from the Indian jungle 

cat (F. chaus), a fulvous cat which in its high 

legs, shorter tail, and slightly tufted ears 

and it is worthy of note that some of the best 

Abyssinians have large and slightly tufted ears 

marks the approach to the lyncine group. 

The spotted kinds he traces to the leopard cat, 

the desert cat, and the rusty-spotted cat. 

A most extraordinary variety, of which next 

to nothing appears to be known, 

is the hairless 

cat, and we cannot do better than quote in 

extenso the description given by the owner of 

what, if his surmise should unhappily prove 

to be correct, was the last pair of these peculiar 

animals, a portrait of which we give. 

Albuquerque, New Mexico, 

February ^rd, 1902. 

MR. H. C. BROOKE. 

Dear Sir, Yours of January aoth is at hand. In 

answer would say my hairless cats are brother and 

sister. I got them from the Indians a few miles from 

this place. The old Jesuit Fathers tell me they are 

the last of the Aztec breed known only in New Mexico. 

I have found them the most intelligent and affection- 

ate family pets I have ever met in the cat line ; they 

are the quickest inaction and smartest cats I have ever 

seen. They are fond of a warm bath, and love to 

sleep under the clothes at night with our little girl. 

They seem to understand nearly everything that is 

said to them ; but I have never had time to train 

them. They are marked exactly alike with mouse- 

coloured backs ; with neck, stomach, and legs a, 

delicate flesh tint. Their bodies are always warm 

and soft as a child's. They love to be fondled and 

caressed, and are very playful will run ; up and down 

your body and around your waist like a flash. 

" " 

Nellie weighs about eight pounds, and " Dick " 

weighed ten pounds ; but I am sorry to say we have 

lost " Dick." We have never allowed them to go 

out of the house, as the dogs would be after them. 

They were very fond of our water spaniel, and would 

" 

sleep with her, Dick "~was a sly rascal, and would 

steal out. One night last year he stole out, and the 

dogs finished him. His loss was very great, as I may 

never replace him. The Chicago Cat Club valued 

them at 1,000 dollars each. They were very anxious 

for me to come on with them for their cat shows, but 

I could not go. They were never on exhibition ; as 

this is a small city, I feared they would be stolen. I 

have made every endeavour to get another mate for 

" 

Nellie," but have not been successful. I never 

allowed them to mate, as they were brother and 

sister, and I thought it might alter " Nellie's " beau- 

tiful form, which is round and handsome, with body 

rather long. 

and ridge of 

In winter they have a light fur on back 

tail, which falls off in warm weather. 

They stand the cold weather same as other cats. They 

are not like the hairless dogs, whose hide is solid and 

tough ; they are soft and delicate, with very loose skin. 

" Nellie " has a very small head, large amber eyes, 

extra long moustache and eyebrows ; 

her voice now 

is a good baritone, when young it sounded exactly 

like a child's. They have great appetites, and are 

quite dainty eaters fried chicken and good steak is 

their choice. Have never been sick an hour. The 

enclosed faded picture is the only one I have at 

present ; it is very lifelike, as it shows the wrinkles 

in its fine, soft skin. 

" Dick " was a very powerful 

cat ; could whip any dog alone ; his courage, no 

doubt, was the cause of his death. He always was 

the boss over our dogs; I have priced " Nellie " at 

300 dollars. She is too valuable a pet for me to keep 

in a small town. Many wealthy ladies would value 

her at her weight in gold if they knew what a very 

rare pet she is. I think in your position she would 

be a very good investment to exhibit at cat shows 

and other select events, as she doubtless is the only 

hairless cat now known. I have written to Old 

Mexico and all over this country without finding 

another. I would like to have her in some large 

museum, where she would interest and be appreciated 

by thousands of people. Trusting this will reach you 

in safety, I am, very truly yours, F. J. SHINICK. 

We can only add, 

that Mr. Shinick did 

whilst deeply regretting 

not mate his cats, the 

earnest hope that we may hear that he has 

discovered the existence of other specimens. 

Should it prove that a parcel of street curs 

are responsible for this curious variety becom- 

ing extinct, even such confirmed dog lovers as 

ourselves are almost tempted to acquiesce in 

a universal and everlasting muzzling order ! 

It is to be regretted that no information is given 

as to whether the dentition of these cats was 

abnormal and imperfect, as is the case with 

the Mexican hairless dogs. 

Very curious and handsome is the Indian 

cat " Indischer Fiirst," exhibited by Mrs. H. 

C. Brooke. His most striking peculiarities

3 

< 

u 

X 

a


are the length and slenderness of his limbs, 

the extreme shortness of his coat, and his 

thin and tapering tail, which reminds the 

observer of that of a pointer. His ears are 

small, but as a kitten they were of enormous 

size, and with his long and pointed head gave 

him a most weird appearance. The voice of 

this cat is very variable, and far more resembles 

the raucous call of the Siamese than the voice 

of any European cat. 

This cat has had a very adventurous exist- 

ence. He, with his litter sister, was originally 

stolen from a hotel in Bombay by an English 

sailor. On the way home he twice fell overboard, 

but, more fortunate than his companion, 

was safely rescued. He also suffered 

shipwreck in the Sobraon on Yung Yung 

Island. On arriving nearer home he dis- 

appeared, and was only after several days' 

absence discovered in the bowels of the ship, 

as black as the coal amongst which he had 

been sojourning. His last exploit was to fall 

in the docks, after which the sailor handed him 

over to a shoemaker at Leytonstone, where he 

was discovered by his present owner. After 

he had twice escaped from bondage and aston- 

ished the natives of that place by perambulating 

the housetops, lamenting in the tones of 

AFRICAN CAT. 

(Photo: E. Landor, Ealing.) 

a lost soul, his owner arrived at the conclusion 

that he had no convenience for restraining 

him, and at last yielded to persuasion, and 

handed him over to his present proprietors 

for consideration of sundry gold coins of the 

realm and a kitten with seven toes on each 

foot. 

It is a very remarkable thing that the Asiatic 

cats are so subject to abnormal formations of 

the tail. The Siamese cats, as is well known, 

very frequently possess kinked tails. In 

Burma also cats are found some tail-less, 

some with crooked or twisted stumps. These 

cats, when spotted, are very striking ; when 

of an ordinary colour they simply recall an 

indifferent Manx. 

Japan also possesses tail-less cats ; but 

those with ordinary caudal appendages also 

occur, and are probably the most numerous. 

There is said to be a variety of Chinese cat 

which is remarkable for its pendent ears. We 

have never been able to ascertain anything 

definite with regard to this variety. Some 

years back a class was provided for them at a 

certain Continental cat show, and we went 

across in the hope of seeing and, if possible, 

acquiring some specimens ; but, alas, the class 

was ! empty We have seen a stuffed specimen 

in a Continental museum, which was a half- 

long-haired cat, the ears being pendent down 

the sides of the head instead of erect ; 

not attach much value to this. 

but do 

We have seen specimens of a very tiny 

individuals of which 

domestic cat, full-grown 

weigh only about three pounds. Those we 

saw came from South America. 

A cat called the Mombassa cat, from the 

East of Africa, is said to have a short coat of a 

wiry texture. There are, of course, no cats 

indigenous to Australia. An American writer 

gives it as his opinion that a certain strain of 

Australian cats is derived from imported 

Siamese cats. A specimen we possessed last 

year, which was born on a ship during the 

passage from Australia, and which exactly 

resembled its dam, certainly had every appearance 

of being of Eastern origin. It had the 

marten-shaped head, and a triple kink in the

CO 

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5 

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tail ; its voice also resem- 

bled that of the Siamese. 

In colour it was grey, 

with darker spots. 

A very taking variety 

is the Abyssinian. A 

good specimen should 

very strongly resemble 

what one might well expect 

the Egyptian cat to 

become after generations 

of domestication. Since 

the death of " Sedgemere 

Bottle " and " Sedgemere 

Peaty " there have been 

no cats penned of such 

superlative merit as were 

these two specimens. The 

photograph of " Sedgemere 

Peaty " which we give 

hardly does justice to the 

cat. The colour of an 

Abyssinian should be a sort of reddish-fawn, 

each individual hair being " ticked " like that 

of a wild rabbit hence the popular name of 

" bunny cat." The great difficulty in breed- 

ing these cats is their tendency 

SOME FOREIGN CATS. 301 

to come too 

dark and too heavily striped on the limbs ; 

the face should be rather long, the tail short 

and thick, and the ears large. These points 

are well shown by " Little Bunny Teedle Tit," 

first in the Abyssinian class at the 1902 

in colour she 

Crystal Palace cat show, though 

was not the best penned. The Abyssinian 

should not be a large, coarse cat. A small 

cat of delicate colouring and with the above- 

mentioned body properties is by far to be preferred 

to the large, coarse, dark specimens one 

sees winning under some all-round judges, 

merely because of their size. 

More than any other varieties have the 

foreign cats suffered from the negligence of show 

committees and the awful judging of all-round 

judges, plus the equally awful reports furnished 

by all-round reporters ! At the best, 

knowledge of the different varieties of foreign 

cats is absolutely in its infancy. It should be 

the aim of large shows to provide, whenever 

MANX AND ABYSSINIAN (" SEDGEMERE PEATY " ON THE RIGHT). 

: (Photo A. R. Dresser.) 

possible, judges for these interesting strangers 

who do really take some interest in them. I am 

bound to say that of late years the National 

Cat Club has done its best to meet the wishes 

of owners in this respect, and with gratifying 

results, as witness the good classes at the 

Crystal Palace show, where there were no 

fewer than eleven Abyssinians penned a 

record number ! 

The Cat Club, on the other hand, has persist- 

ently neglected them, having on almost every 

occasion handed them over to some all-round 

judge who knows little and cares less about 

them, with the natural result that exhibitors 

are disgusted. Take, for instance, the last 

show, when a very dark, almost sooty Abyssinian 

was placed above a very fair specimen 

merely because the latter had about a dozen 

white hairs on its throat ! The value of the 

from the fact that its 

winner may be gauged 

owner, a lady well known in the cat world, 

expressed her intention of having him neutered 

and keeping him merely as a pet. The 

same judge, in dividing the prizes amongst the 

Manx cats, appeared to think the colour of the 

throat of far more importance than the shape


of the hindquarters in this section. Again, 

of what value does the reporter flatter himself 

his writings can be when we read in a so-called 

critique of a spotted Geoffrey's cat and of an 

ocelot that they are " pretty tiger-marked 

specimens " ? We wonder if the gentleman 

ever saw a tiger. 

There is much that is fascinating much, nay 

almost all to learn, the most beautiful colours 

and arrangements of markings to be studied, 

those who will devote their attention to 

by 

GEOKFROY S WILD CAT. 

(Photo : Cassell & Company, Limited.') 

foreign cats. To the search for something 

new we owe the beautiful Siamese. Will no 

one pay some attention to the other varieties 

of the feline tribe from distant lands ? They 

are well worth it, and the addition of more 

foreign cats at our shows would be interesting 

and instructive. H. C. BROOKE.

"RADO. 

W 

BLUE, OWNED BY MRS. KRESS. 

(Photo: Branch, Minneapolis.) 

A 

303 

" THE STORM KING." 

OWNED BY Miss C. WALLACE. 

(Photo : Lewis Studio, East Brady, Pa,) 

CHAPTER XXVII. 

CATS IN AMERICA. 

REVIEW of 

the cat fancy 

in America 

carries us over so 

vast an expanse of 

territory, that it is 

not easy at one 

fell swoop really 

to do it justice. 

The only way that 

seems feasible is to 

take the fancy by 

and as the 

districts ; 

cat fancy exemplified 

by shows may 

be said to have 

arisen in the east, this district should, I think, 

have the pride of place, though it has for a 

time to give way to the reign of the cat further 

towards the setting of the sun. 

On referring to Mrs. Pierce's notes, 

it will 

be seen that Maine had its cat shows long 

before we had some of us come to America. 

The cat fancy as it is now in America may 

have been said to have sprung into a steady 

existence with the first show held in the 

Madison Square Garden, New York, on May 

8th, 1895. This show was organised by Mr. 

James T. Hyde, an Englishman, who has been 

closely identified with the horse shows at the 

Garden for many years, and the idea of holding 

a cat show came to him suddenly, from 

having attended the Crystal Palace show. 

The first cat show in New York was a great 

success from the time the doors opened till its 

close, though the temperature which was for 

part of the time as high as 96 degrees was 

hard upon the cats, especially those that had 

just come from England. When we returned 

home the morning after the show there was a 

white frost ! Part of the judging was done 

and well done by the late Dr. Huidekoper, 

who had picked up a good deal of his 

cat lore while a medical student at Paris and 

Edinburgh and in London. Miss Hurlburt and 

Mr. T. Farrer Rackham were the other judges. 

In regard to this show which marks the 

beginning of the cat fever in America, that spread 

outside of the State of Maine I think I ought 

to point out what was chiefly remarkable, and 

the parts of the show that were destined to bear 

upon the future. In the first place, the prize


for the best cat in the show was won by a 

brown tabby a native, or, as some people 

designate them, Maine cats. This cat was in 

every way a good one but he was a ; 

gelding, 

and, of course, in May, much ahead of the 

breeding cats as to plumage ; but, still, there 

was little dissatisfaction at the awards. Of 

English 

cats there were not more than about 

eight, and several died soon after ; and of all 

those shown at this our first show the only ones 

that have really made any mark or real impression 

upon the cat fancy in America may 

be mentioned " King Humbert," " Topaz," 

"Minnie," and "The Banshee." The firstnamed 

were all brown or grey tabbies, the last 

a white. Cats bred from these are still winning, 

and their descendants keep their names 

green in the annals of present-day stud books. 

White cats had always been popular in 

America, and the first show produced specimens 

as good as, or even better than I have 

ever seen in this city ; up to now, in fact, 

we have never had anything to beat "Ajax," 

who made his first and last bow to the public 

here. 

No other shows occurred for some time till 

the autumn, when an exhibition was held at 

Newburgh, sixty miles up the Hudson River, to 

be repeated the next year, with the New York 

show of 1896 in between. At this latter great 

improvement had been made in colours and 

varieties ; and, in fact, all concerned had 

made considerable advance in the meantime 

as to knowledge of different varieties of cats. 

At the second show in New York a club was 

formed, intended to be the National, but it 

died, and affairs were in a comatose condition as 

regards shows in New York until the consent of 

Mr. Crawford, the manager of the poultry show, 

was obtained for the holding of a cat show in 

January, 1902, in the concert hall which opens 

out of the main hall at Madison Square. This 

show, though a small one, was well attended, 

and though the entries only numbered about 

no, the quality of many of the cats was very 

much ahead of the five years before, and the 

classes of silvers were good enough for any 

country. The impetus gained by this show 

and the results obtained were not over- 

estimated by those who promoted the show, 

and the bringing together of many staunch 

breeders who had sprung up in the meantime 

made it possible to organise the Atlantic Cat 

Club, which has gathered such headway in the 

year of its existence that it is becoming one 

of the most powerful factors in the American 

cat fancy. The show held at Madison Square 

in 1903, with the fine collection of challenge 

cups and the many other valuable specials, 

speaks to the gathering interest and the strength 

of the fancy in the district, and the club is 

being every day still further strengthened ; 

and, if the treasury balance is any indication, 

the future of the Atlantic Cat Club will be 

very marked, especially as many people of 

wealth and influence are being enrolled upon 

the books and are becoming most enthusiastic 

upholders of the cat in New York. 

In discussing the eastern affairs, we must 

not leave out the Boston shows, which have 

been a steady factor for some years, and gave 

opportunities to the more northern cats to 

meet and compete together. These shows 

have been kept alive by Mr. T. Farrer Rackham, 

to a great extent, and from the opening 

of the cat fancy up to now he has been a 

steady promoter of the interests of the cat, 

and has steadily worked to keep up the interest. 

In thinking of the breeders of the eastern 

portion of this continent we have to range over 

a good deal of territory, and even the State of 

New York alone takes us quite out west, and 

from Mrs. Conlisk (who lives at Gowanda, and 

who owns " Bitterne Silver Chieftain " and 

a daughter of " Whychwood," besides " Silver 

Belle," who came from England lately) our 

thoughts drift down to Pittsburg to Mrs. L. 

T. Hodges, who is making a speciality of 

smokes and silvers, and has commenced well 

by winning 

"Wahanita," "Southampton," and "The 

Dusky Pilgrim" a capital smoke, since sold 

for 50. Mrs. Mix, although in New York 

State, lives 180 miles to the westward of New 

York City ; but, still, the effect the cats that 

in kittens at Cleveland with 

she has imported from England have had upon

the young stock and the future of our cats in 

certain lines has been very marked. As a 

sire of good ones no cat has exceeded " King 

of the Silvers," and his children have been 

picked on several occasions for best in show, 

and the influence that these may have in the 

future cannot yet be fully estimated. The 

winnings of this cattery have been many, but 

as the home of good breeding stock and as the 

practical founder of a strain for the future 

this cattery is destined to rank very high in 

our annals. At the Old Fort cattery reside 

" " " 

King of the Silvers," Jack Frost," Tortie 

Diana Fawe," " Lady Lollypop," and many 

other good ones, and from this cattery to many 

parts of the country have gone cats that for 

type and quality have not been excelled. 

Not far from here at Saratoga is the 

summer residence of Dr. Ottolengui's cats, 

20 

CATS IN AMERICA. 305 

THE OLD FORT CATTERY. 

under the care of Mrs. Hall, and these at the 

present time are doing a great deal of winning, 

not so much by cats purchased as by home 

bred ones. For instance, I may mention 

" Lord Lossie," who has some of the cream 

of the English blood in his veins and ; lately 

" 

has come to this cattery Sir Robert," the 

black, a winner at the Crystal Palace, and 

who repeated his triumphs at other shows 

" 

here. Dollie Button," a black daughter of 

" 

Persimmon," is largely aiding this cattery 

as a mother and a show cat. 

Dr. Ottolengui's advent into the fancy in 

January, 1902, as secretary of the Atlantic 

Club gave an impetus to things in general that 

only future times can show the full effect. The 

cat fraternity needed an organiser and a 

worker to bring it together, and he was found 

just at the right time.


MRS. COLBURN AND HER WHITE PERSIAN " PARIS." 

(Photo: F. Schnabd, Chicago.) 

Miss Lincoln, of Worcester, Massachusetts, 

has done quite a little work for the good of 

the majority ; but has not had the best of 

luck with her cats so far, and Mrs. A. G. Brown, 

of Melrose, Massachusetts, -is a steady breeder 

of whites and other colours, and she has in her 

cattery " His Majesty," the white that has 

won many prizes and is the sire of winners. 

Mrs. Neel, at Urbana, New York, established 

a cattery, and has been a very hard 

worker in the cause, doing good from her 

experience in a medical way, by writing 

for the papers, by upholding the shows 

often a good distance from home and by 

the general support she has afforded to all 

who made use of the help she was willing to 

give. 

Whilst in this direction I must not forget 

Mr. C. H. Jones, who commenced as a breeder 

and exhibitor, though his business kept him 

away from home a great deal ; yet 

the fever 

grew upon him until he started a newspaper 

called The Cat Journal, which, no doubt, 

is one of the principal factors in keeping up 

the interest in the cat in general. Though on 

account of Mr. Jones's other business engagements 

it is not possible for him to report shows, 

he brings out this paper monthly at great 

personal cost to himself and with little chance 

of profit on anything like a fitting scale at 

present ; so that we may say that, consider- 

ing the work of the paper is done after business 

hours and is largely supported by his own 

purse, we cannot help but think that it is 

most probable the cat family never found a 

more enthusiastic and disinterested devotee 

in the whole course of its history. Mr. Jones 

gave up his exhibition cats, and yet for sheer 

love of the race and from motives of pure 

humanity he still continues to move heaven 

and earth for their support, and must always 

be reckoned one of the foremost exponents of 

the cat in America, and one of the staunchest 

friends the cat ever had. 

Among fanciers in the vicinity of New York 

must be enumerated Miss A. L. Pollard, who 

has imported and bred a few good cats, and 

has made a name for herself with " Omar," 

by " St. Anthony." Miss Pollard's place is 

situated at Elizabeth, New Jersey, about fifteen 

miles from New York, and so is practically in 

" 

the metropolitan district. Purity," the white 

which was so successful in England, and the 

tortoiseshell " Woodbine," are factors in this 

cattery, which is quite a large one, and very 

well arranged. The crops of kittens have 

been most successfully reared and distributed, 

in fact with more success than many of our 

fanciers have been able to show. 

Mrs. W. S. Hofstra, the president of the 

Atlantic Cat Club, lives on Long Island, the 

other side of New York, and devotes herself 

to her Siamese and Persians, and has had a 

very decided influence in the development of 

the club over which she so ably presides. 

The Lindenhurst Cattery at Ridgefield, New 

and in 

Jersey, is also becoming prominent, 

Brooklyn the Misses Ward have done very 

good work and have reared some fine cats and 

kittens. The keynote of this establishment

has been " Robin," an orange tabby son of 

" Persimmon," who seems to breed back to 

his sire, and begets a good many brown tabbies 

as well as oranges. 

We must not leave New York State without 

remembering Mrs. F. L. Norton, of Cazenovia, 

who has built one of the most beautiful cat- 

teries in America, and has spared no expense 

or trouble to stock it with good cats ; and here 

reside " Sussex Timkins," " Sweetheart," and 

many 

others known to fame. 

Mrs. Champion, now settled at Hart Park, 

New Brighton, Staten Island, New York, with 

her two daughters, is doing a great deal for 

the cats of America, and the two Misses 

Champion will probably have to do for some 

time a good deal of the judging for us. Mrs. 

Champion's cats did well at the first New 

York show at which they made their appear- 

ance, and "Lord Argent," "Silver Flash," 

" Argent Puffy," "Moonbeam II., "and " Lord 

Silvester " 

are becoming 

BRUSHWOOD CATTERY. 

(Photo: F. Schnabel, Chicago.) 


household words. 

" Argent Moonbeam II." was best in the 

show of January, 1903. 

Mrs. Gotwalts, of Pottstown, Pennsylvania, 

must not be omitted from the eastern con- 

tingent, for she has the nucleus of a good 

cattery, and owns a son of " Blue Boy II." 

" 

called Amesh," and she has some " Persimmon 

" blood in the cattery, and also some 

of the smoke blood of the " Backwell " strain 

obtained from Mrs. Harold James. Mrs. 

Gotwalts keeps fine cats, and is very fond of 

breeding "her own, in which she takes much 

pride. 

Mrs. Brown, of Millerton, New York, has 

bred and kept cats for some time, but does not 

favour the shows much. 

Washington has come to the fore of late, 

but has not within her borders many regular 

breeders outside of Mrs. 

Hazen Bond, who exhibited 

with a good deal of success 

during the season of 1901-

308 THE BOOK OF THE CAT: 

1902, and Miss Eleanor Burritt, who most 

successfully brought to a termination a good 

show in Washington in December, 1902 ; arid 

this will, no doubt, be followed by others in 

years to come. 

Our travels in search of cats do not take us 

very far south, for in these regions the fleas 

alone make the rearing of cats in anything 

like numbers an impossibility. Mrs. B. M. 

Gladding most pluckily tried it at Memphis, 

Tennessee, but has been obliged to give it up, 

though she was one of our most promising 

cat lovers. 

The Connecticut cats bid fair to be quite a 

factor in the American race for prominence in 

catty matters, and within the borders of Connecticut 

we have to record a few breeders. 

In 1903 we have a show at Stamford, 

Connecticut, which is an important place, and 

where the show now begun might assume quite 

extensive proportions ; for at Stamford are 

many large country houses, and it is a centre 

that can well afford to have the best of every- 

thing. 

Connecticut has within her borders the 

possibilities of future greatness, and is at 

present emerging from comparative obscurity, 

though always having had some good fanciers. 

Miss Lucy Nicholls was, for a time, perhaps 

one of the best known, but she died in the 

MISS L. c. JOHNSTON'S " PERSIMMON SQUIRREL." 

(Photo: Finlcy, Chicago.) 

spring of 1902. Dr. Frank Abbott is stirring 

up the fanciers of Connecticut, and a little 

while from now there would probably be a 

good deal more to say about this region, which 

holds such breeders as Mrs. Copperberg, Miss 

Anna Marks, Mrs. Ida Palmer, and others. 

I leave the Maine and the northern division 

to Mrs. Pierce, who was born there, and has 

known this region and its history for many 

years, and who can cover it so much better. 

Mrs. M. B. Thurston was much missed as 

an exhibitor, as for a time she was very suc- 

cessful, but more with cats she bought than 

with cats she bred. 

Miss K. L. Gage, of Brewster's, New York, 

is not now so prominent as of yore, but 

still for a time was energetic in disseminating 

good cats, and was the owner of the silver 

tabby " Whychwood," who bids fair to leave 

a name behind him. 

The New York show of 1903 revealed to us that 

we are making steady progress in long-haired 

silvers, and the probability is that at the 

present time, if we could make up 

a team of 

four or five of our best and take them to 

England, we should give a good account of 

ourselves. 

At this show the blacks, thanks to recent 

importations, were much better than heretofore 

; and Miss Hurlburt's " Eddie Fawe," 

Dr. Ottolengui's "Sir Robert "a previous 

winner at the Palace and Miss Lincoln's 

" Jack Fawe " made a trio that we may be 

proud of. 

The blues were a decided improvement on 

last year, and so were the whites ; and Miss 

Pollard had " Purity " and the blue-eyed 

" Fairy " put down in splendid shape, and 

won well. 

Orange cats are always pretty popular in 

America, and are, owing to Miss Ward and 

Mrs. Copperberg, coming well up to the front. 

In the silvers Mrs. Champion's " Argent 

Moonbeam II." carried all before him in males, 

and Mrs. Conlisk took first in queens with 

"Silver Belle" a big one and a good one. 

The " Blessed Damozel " is perhaps our best 

queen, and there is really nothing to beat her

in the female division ; but 

she was not put down for 

competition, 

as her owner 

does not approve of a four 

days' show. Mrs. Mallorie 

had a big strong silver 

"Silver Glen" second to 

"Argent Moonbeam II." 

The silver tabbies are coming 

along well, and so are the 

smokes, and one "TheDusky 

Pilgrim," a son of " The Passionate 

Pilgrim," who has 

been altered was sold for 

50. 

" 

The Passionate Pil- 

grim," a very light 

and mas- 

sively built cat, promises to 

be a great loss to breeders, as 


he is an almost complete out A RECEPTION ROOM IN A CHICAGO CATTERY. 

cross, but he has left severa (Photo-, s. E. wngu, Chicago.) 

good kittens. Mrs. Mix, who 

was judging, brought out some beautiful not placed second as a matter of its import- 

silvers, and her home-bred 

was a notable cat. 

Jack 

Frost " 

ance, but simply comes in in chronological 

order. The first show to be held there was 

" Arlington Hercules," the brown tabby, three years after the first in New York, and 

made his first appearance in New York, and was promoted and managed by Mrs. Leland 

was very much admired. Prices ran high for Norton ; and this show was such a decided 

good cats, especially smokes and silvers, as success that a club was formed, called the 

these are new to Americans. The blue colour Chicago Cat Club, which held together for 

they are more familiar with from the long some years, but was in the end dwarfed by its 

acquaintance with the short-haired blues or rival the Beresford Cat Club. This came into 

to such dimensions 

Maltese ; but there is no denying the fact being in 1899, and grew 

that the blues are always dangerous when it that the club soon numbered over 300 members, 

comes to judging for specials, for in their all- and reached in January, 1902, to the highest 

round quality they show the care that has place by far of any American cat club, having 

been bestowed upon them in England. at the show in Chicago over 250 cats, which 

Old " Tortie Diana Fawe " is still our best was at least 100 in excess of any show ever 

tortoiseshell, without much apparent chance held up to that time in America, 

of being deposed. Not the least important work done by this 

Mr. H. T. Draper an old Londoner, who club was the inauguration of a stud book, 

has exhibited short-hairs steadily since 1895 which has now three volumes, and contains 

is still with us, and taking prizes as a record of nearly all of the cats that have 

before ; he has been a very steady supporter been factors in the development of the fancy 

of the short-hairs for years. 

DISTRICT NO. 2. 

District No. 2, that we shall consider next, 

in America. No doubt a greater part of the 

success of the Beresford Club has been brought 

about by the energy and management of Mrs. 

Clinton Locke, aided by the corresponding 

is the city and region of Chicago, which is secretary (Miss L. C. Johnstone), and it is 

20*

3io THE BOOK OF THE CAT. 

impossible to compute the work they have 

done. The mass of information collected in 

the stud books will always be the basis for 

the future, and on this may be built the stud 

book in use by the whole of America. 

The vicinity of Chicago has been the centre 

of the cat fancy in America, and in this city 

and its vicinity there have been more steady 

breeders and more people who have selected, 

bred, and reared the best cats they could 

obtain, so that, of course, the shows have 

been the biggest and best ever held in America. 

The one striking feature of the Chicago shows 

has always been the white long-haired cats. 

Of late another club has started, called the 

Orange and Cream Club, which may be said 

to have had Chicago for its birth-place, and 

this club flourishes and prospers. 

We can best gauge the Chicago division by 

looking over the breeders and taking a glance 

at the shows, and as I was judge there at 

the show of 1901 and also in 1902 I have had 

the opportunity to make acquaintance with 

many of the owners and many of the cats. 

If we turn back to the Beresford Cat Club 

stud book we find among the officers of the 

year many of our best known breeders, and 

I commence with Mrs. Clinton Locke, the 

president. It must not be imagined that 

this was her first attempt at cat breeding, 

for she had been a breeder of long-haired cats 

for years, and I must sav I had heard of 

Mrs. Locke many years before I ever had the 

pleasure of meeting her, and her cats were well 

known before the advent of cat shows. Mrs. 

Locke has made a name with several colours 

and breeds, and has imported and bred 

Persians, Siamese, Russians, etc., and the 

last two shows displayed the fact that she 

held a strong hand in most of these. 

' % 

Melrose 

Lassie" a blue sent over in 1900 from 

England by Miss Frances Simpson, and who 

developed into a beautiful quality cat with 

lovely orange eyes was the best at the Chicago 

show in 1901. This cat the next year was 

not shown for competition, and the premier 

honours went to her kennel mate " Lupin," 

and these two when mated together have 

produced several winners. " Lupin " was bred 

by Miss Beal, and is by " Romaldkirk Mid- 

shipmite " ex " Daisy Belle," by " Romaldkirk 

" " 

Toga." Lupin was selected at Romaldkirk 

by myself when a promising kitten of 

six months, and to say that he fulfilled his 

promise is sufficient, for he grew in size and 

stature, and retained his beautiful golden 

eyes. He is now owned by Mrs. White. 

The winning kitten of the 1901 show was 

from the two ("Melrose Lassie " and " Lupin"), 

and Dr. Ottolengui's 

1902 "Lady 

two winning queens in 

Lola" and " Isis " 

are bred 

from the same two. It is curious to watch 

how blood will tell, for in the winning blue 

male at Washington, December, 1902, we 

had some of the same blood again in " Lord 

Lossie," by " Lucullus " ex " Dollie Dutton," 

" " " 

who was by Persimmon," Lucullus being 

a son of " Lupin " ex " " 

Lucy Claire late the 

property of Mrs. Falconer Sinclair, and known 

in England as " Baby Flossie." Among other 

celebrities of Mrs. Locke's cattery were " Lord 

Gwynne " 

the white imported from England 

through the kind offices of Mr. A. A. Clarke 

and this cat at once made a name for himself 

as the sire of " True Blue," " Mars," " Prosper 

Le Gai," and many other good cats. 

" 

St. 

Tudno " and " Blackbird " were two blacks 

that did well for Mrs. Locke, and " St. Tudno " 

sired the winning black in 1902, who very 

nearly annexed the prize for best in show. 

The " Beadle," another of Mrs. Locke's blues 

that must not be forgotten, was a cat bred by 

Mrs. Dean, and he did yeoman service in 

his time, and has left many promising young 

ones. Mrs. Locke has been the owner of 

good Siamese, and from " Siam " and " Sally 

Ward " she bred " Calif " and " Bangkok," 

who carried all before them at the Chicago 

show of 1902, and were the best pair I have 

seen this side the water, and would have 

given a good account of themselves anywhere. 

" 

Mrs. Locke's Russians Blue Royal " and 

" " 

Schuyla were respectively obtained from 

Mr. Towlerton, of Wakefield, and Mrs. Carew- 

Cox, and have passed into other hands after 

winning many prizes. Among other Chicago

ladies who have been very prominent in cat 

breeding for many years we must not forget 

Mrs. Cratty, who built up a beautiful strain of 

whites from a pair she 

land twelve years ago. 

obtained in Switzer- 

Mrs. Cratty has now 

given up breeding, finding the rearing of 

kittens too great a tax upon her powers ; but 

as a consistent and steady breeder, instead 

of simply a buyer and 

exhibitor of other 

people's efforts, she 

will be much missed. 

Mrs. W. Eames Col- 

burn has at the present 

time probably one 

of the largest and 

most successful cat- 

teries in America. In 

1901 she made a reputation 

with her cat 

" Paris," which was 

bred by herself, and 

which, besides winning 

in the strongest of 

company, has been a 

most successful and 

prolific sire of white 

kittens, a good many 

of which have taken 

honours on the bench. 

Mrs. Colburn also pos- 

sesses two very fine 

blacks "Blackthorn," 

which she imported 

from Asia, and "Black- 

berry Fawe," sent to 

her from England by Miss Frances Simpson. 

Many people who have visited the cattery of 

late are heard to speak enthusiastically of the 

quality of the inmates and of the perfection 

of the appointments and the way the cattery 

is fitted up. Miss L. C. Johnstone, the ever busy 

secretary of the Beresford Club, has been a prominent 

exhibitor, and has taken many honours 

with "Blue Flash," "Persimmon Squirrel," 

and " Kew " 

Laddie." Blue 

" 

Flash grew into 

a beautiful cat, taking at the Chicago show, 

1902, the special for best queen in the show. 

CATS IN AMERICA. 

MRS. E. N. 

ONE OF THE PIONEERS OF THE 

AMERICAN CAT FANCY. 

(Photo : J. Hiibner, 

Mrs. Jerome H. Pratt has usually been an 

exhibitor at the Chicago show. She won her 

championship with " Sir Henry Irving," a 

very richly marked silver tabby by "Whych- 

" 

wood," who was by Charlbury Silver King." 

Mrs. Tolman has always been an energetic 

officer of the Beresford Club, and is very 

energetic at the shows, and in cats her fancy 

runs to creams, of 

which she has brought 

out several winners. 

BARKER. 

Mrs. L. Nicholson (formerly 

Mrs. F. Fisk 

Green) has been a 

prominent and good 

supporter of past 

Chicago shows. 

Mrs. F. W. Story has 

been known as a successful 

breeder of 

orange cats and some 

whites, and in having 

obtained possession of 

the fine orange "Ham- 

ish " will, no doubt, 

find herself in a few 

years in the position 

of being a prominent 

breeder of this colour. 

" Bunch," the former 

stud cat belonging to 

this cattery, did good 

service in his . 

day, 

and is responsible for 

a few winners ; but 

Rutherford, N.J.) 

the absence of any 

details in the American catalogues of the shows 

makes it difficult to arrive at a very accurate 

estimate of all his performances. 

In speaking of Chicago we shall have to 

include Miss Hazelton, who has turned out 

several winners, all descended from " Sapphire," 

that she bought of Mrs. Barker in 

1896. Mrs. Fred E. Smith has been one 

of the shining lights among the Chicago 

breeders, and has been a consistent winner at 

she now holds a strong hand 

Chicago shows ; 

in the white division, and was fortunate


enough to pick up on the Pacific coast a fine ones, but the principal wins in the highest 

male in " Light of Asia," who was imported 

" 

from Asia. Swampscott," another good cat, 

makes his appearance every year, and usually 

finds himself in the prize list, and he has the 

most fascinating way of turning up in splendid 

coat at most of the shows. This cat is a 

pure Maine cat, if we may so call him ; but as 

an example of vigour 

and good health, year 

after year, he stands 

pre-eminent. Mrs. 

Smith is now building 

up 

a strain of silvers 

of her own composing, 

which may be very 

valuable to the atten- 

uated strains of the 

ordinary breeder, who 

is only too glad to 

welcome something 

that will be an out- 

cross and will not 

spoil the silver colour. 

Mrs. C. E. S. Blinn 

is another breeder who 

is always present at 

the shows, and whose 

cats usuallv find their 

way into the prize list. 

Mrs. Blinn is 

' 

a consistent breeder who does 

not always make herself very prominent, but 

she obtains the results on the quiet. 

Mrs. Blanche Robinson has bred several of 

her own prize-winners, and her black " Othello," 

of which we spoke previously, is more than a 

good 

one. The name of Mrs. McKenzie will 

always be associated with " Prince of Orange," 

whose name will designate his colour, and this 

cat is a hard one to beat in any orange class, 

for he is very rich and deep in tint. 

In 1902 there were two shows held in 

1 

SILVER HAIR " AND " TIPTOE. 

OWNED BY MRS. PIERCE. 

(Photo : Howland, Cincinnati.') 

of the specials were made by imported cats. 

The advent of some nice new whites was 

welcomed, as usual, and "Toddles" is an addition 

to our list of white males, and is a nice 

cobby sort, bred from "Light of Asia." "Little 

Miss Eiger," one of Mrs. Cratty's breeding 

and own particular strain, won in the blue- 

eyed white queens. 

" Lupin " kept on his 

winning career, and 

took the prize for the 

best in show once 

more, and this, under 

judges who had never 

seen him before, seems 

to endorse the estimate 

made of him 

" 

heretofore. Melrose 

Lassie," shown this 

year again for com- 

petition, 

took the first, 

prize in blue queens. 

Blacks, taking the 

open and novice to- 

gether, came out 

strongly, and black 

seems to be one of our 

strongest colours. 

" Prince of Orange " 

is still invincible at this show in orange 

males, and the orange queens are coming 

along nicely. Mrs. Sarmiento's " John Bull," 

in much better form than last year, again 

sweeps 

the deck in the silver class. The 

silver tabbies still continue to prosper. "Arling- 

ton Hercules " went down, for the first time, 

at this show, largely on a question of eye 

colour. 

Smokes in the year gone by have not made 

much advance in the West, and this year the 

cream females outnumber the males, and a 

Chicago by the Beresford Cat Club, one in descendant of " Kew Laddie " takes the eye 

December, 1902, or just a month earlier than of the public with usual, really representing what would have 

been, in the natural course, the 1903 show. 

colour, coat, and points. 

Mrs. C. A. White, who in the spring bought 

Lupin " and " Melrose Lassie," was most 

This show did not reveal to us any very successful at this show, and is probably des- 

great changes ; there are a few new home-bred tined to be one of our successful breeders,

and with the co-operation of her husband (Dr. 


as regards getting to several shows a year, for 

White), who is very clever with animals, the Detroit is accessible to Cleveland, Rochester, 

assistance she will receive will very largely Cincinnati, and Chicago, all of which are 

help to bring her to the front. good shows ; so this gives the Detroit fanciers 

Mrs. White is the lady who is organising the chance to come out at several shows 

a home for deserted dogs and cats, with besides their own in the course of the winter. 

At Detroit reside several of our most enter- 

a hospital attached, and on a scale and 

with a foresight that is certainly remark- 

able. Considering that Dr. White is the 

prising and successful breeders and exhibitors ; 

for the Detroit fancier is not content simply to 

head of the Veterinary College in Chicago, stay at home and only take part in the one 

the benefit that may accrue to the dogs and local show of the cats in the future from the opportunity of 

year, but is to be found 

at a good many, even so far away as New 

humane study that this will give will be York. In the list of these we incalculable. This, when put alongside of the 

horrible revelations that we are treated to 

anent vivisection, may, 

place Mrs. F. J. 

Sarmiento and Mrs. Dwight Cutler, who own 

I hope, have the 

effect of swinging the balance the other way, 

the well-known cats " Arlington Hercules," 

*' 

Bar Abdul," " Marriame," " and help 

Dingley Belle," 

" " 

Champion Floriana," Brownie Pink," etc. 

to show the rash experimenters that The history of these and their wins is written 

there are people in this world who recognise on the sands of time and will not be lost for 

the individuality of the animal creation, and many years, and they represent the enterprise 

that we who use them for our own ends and of buying and importing the best English 

have crowded them out of their place in strains and taking care of them. 

Nature to a certain extent should at the same Mrs. Owen, at the Owena Cattery, has been 

time look at the other side of the picture, and 

should consider the debt we owe to them 

an important factor at many shows for the 

last two years. Mrs. W. M. Chapman is well 

during their short lives that humanity, known to show-goers, and has won a good 

practised towards 

the dumb animals, 

is nothing more than 

their just due. 

A great many of 

the same cats won 

at Chicago at this 

last show, " Lupin " 

being again best cat 

in show, and among 

the younger brigade 

the most remarkable 

was a lovely cream 

MISS R. WARD S " ROBIN. 

(Photo : Gardner & Co., Brooklyn, N.Y.) 

many honours, and 

rather in a way not 

too common here 

that is, by breeding 

her own cats. This 

has been done with 

skill and patience ; 

for Mrs. Chapman 

has selected the 

parents with fore- 

thought, and has not 

been one of those 

who has paid large 

kitten owned by Mrs. Locke, which is by sums for breeding stock. The keynote, more 

" Kew Laddie." Toodles," a white son of or less, of this strain has been a fine brown 

Light of Asia," was the best white. 

tabby obtained from Canada some years ago 

viz. "Prince Rupert," who goes back in his 


pedigree to cats owned by Mr. A. A. Clarke, 

District No. 3, which we shall assign to the and also to some imported by Mrs. Cumber- 

Detroit contingent, is certainly one of our land, of Port Hope, Ontario, 

most important. The Detroit fanciers are Mrs. W. J. Stanton deserves mention in 

situated more in a central position that is, the Detroit list as a breeder of short-haired

orange-and-tortoiseshells, 


with and without 

white, and I must say I watch this lady's 

career with interest, for she has brought out 

several winners in her specialities, and is 

probably destined to make things interesting 

in the short-haired division. 

Mrs. N. C. Ellis is another of the Detroit 

breeders likely to be heard of at show times, 

and Mr. and Mrs. Franklin have both made a 

name for themselves with cats of their own 

breeding. We must not. forget Mrs. Hemen- 

way, who was the owner of " Royal Bengal," 

THREE LITTLE GRANDCHILDREN OK ' 

OWNED BY MRS. HOFSTRA. 

a fine brown tabby, and several good orange 

cats bred by herself. 

Cincinnati is our next point of interest, 

though I have not had the opportunity of 

meeting so many of the Ohio breeders as I 

should like, but this is destined, I feel sure, 

to be one of the prominent fancier sections in 

the future. In passing through Ohio we must 

never forget that Ohio has the two important 

shows of Cleveland and Cincinnati, and holds 

within her gates Mrs. E. R. Pierce, whose 

tastes run to orange and creams Mrs. Chas. 

; 

McCloud, of Marysville, Ohio ; and Mrs. Wagner, 

of Sandusky, who brought a very fine lot 

of long-haired cats to Cleveland this year. 

Mrs. Wagner is well known, and has been for 

some time a breeder of blacks ; 

her silver tabby 

(Photo: Maiceau, New York.) 

" Queenie " was the sensation of the Cleveland 

show in 1902, and is destined to win a great 

deal more in the future. 

Mrs. Ferris has developed a faculty for 

bringing out good orange and brown tabby 

cats. Mrs. C. F. Russell, Mount Pleasant, 

Michigan, is also well known. Mr. G. G. 

Brown, of East Cleveland, Ohio, deserves more 

than a passing mention, for though not a 

cat breeder, he has made it his business for 

two years to organise and carry through two 

of the best shows in the country at Cleveland, 

PERSIMMON. 

which have been of material help to the 

fancy, and did a great deal of good. What 

cats are kept at the Brown homestead are 

short-hairs and some nice Manx, but in other 

lines, such as poultry and dogs, Mr. Brown is 

hard to beat. 

Mrs. D. E. Peters, of North Baltimore, 

Ohio, has owned quite a few good cats, in- 

cluding some that came from Romaldkirk, 

but of late she has signified her intention of 

selling out. 

Indianapolis, though rather south-westerly, 

is more in this division, and contains a good 

many cats and some breeders, though they 

have not been able up to now to come to shows 

and meet the more northern and eastern cats. 

Miss N. H. Wilson, whose prefix is " Spokane,"

is well known ; 

and so is the cattery of 

Mrs. Ida M. Shirk, who has carried on 

the business under the name of the Linden 

Cattery. 

DISTRICT NO. 4. CANADIAN CATS. 

The two pioneers of the cat in Canada i.e. 

the two who were most prominent as breeders 

when I went to the first Canadian shows 

were Mrs. Cumberland, of Port Hope, Ontario, 

whose prefix or affix of " Demain " bespeaks her 

early efforts. Even earlier than Mrs. Cumberland, 

the cats belonging to Mr. A. Burland, 

an Englishman, attained prominence, and the 

blood that he brought from England mostly 

from Mr. A. A. Clarke is now diffused into 

or among many of our best-known catteries. 

We had a dim suspicion in fact, more 

than a dim suspicion that there was tucked 

and 

away in Canada more than one good cat ; 

so, being in Toronto, we made an exploration, 

thanks to the help of Mrs. Ellis and Mr. Boyd. 

Our first visit was to the Pioneer Cattery, 

where we found the ravages of gastritis had 

been severely felt only the week before, and, of 

course, some of the very best, including some 

we had portrayed lately, had succumbed. The 

most noted inmate was " Marie," a cat of 

good type, very sound and in good condition, 

with capital eyes of a good, rich orange she 

should breed something good ; and we hope 

we can say it without offending anyone 

this cat, old as she is, is the peer of any 

brown tabby put down in America last year, 

and we only hope she will live to breed one 

more good litter, which should be retained 

to perpetuate the race. 

It was only a short walk to Mrs. Mallock's, 

who is rejoicing in the possession of a very cute 

young black male, capital in style, with a 

lovely coat and colour, named " Furzo," bred 

by Mr. Empey, of Montreal. 

After lunch we drove to see Miss Cox, who 

has the same nice white male we saw there 

six j'ears ago, and he has done yeoman service 

" 

in the meantime. Cadi," a young brown 

tabby male, is a year old, and a credit to any 

cattery. Miss Cox is also the possessor of a 


" 

nice white queen by Fluff," who is responsible 

for some of the good kittens. 

We next journeyed to the home of Mrs. 

Bell, who has one queen and two very strong 

kittens. Mrs. Bell, however, intends to 

strengthen her cattery soon by the acquisition 

of some good queens. 

Leaving Mr. and Mrs. Bell, we journeyed to 

the ferry and went over to the Island, getting 

a glimpse of the beauties of Toronto and 

a fine view of the water front and the suburban 

attractions. We landed at the house 

of Mrs. McAdley, and were introduced to 

the grandest lot of brown tabbies we ever 

remember to have seen, outside, perhaps, 

Mrs. Cutler's, which we should not like to 

compare, not having seen them. We may 

safely say that nothing so good was shown 

last year as Mrs. McAdley's. At the head 

of the list is " Prince," a grand old cat, 

imported from Ireland seven years ago, and 

there are few cats extant to-day, or ever 

were, that can take his measure. His head 

is magnificent, and he is short on the leg, 

has plenty of bone, grand colour, no weak 

colouring around the lips or chin, and, what 

is more, he sires the right sort. 

" Paddy," 

his daughter, is the peer of any brown tabby 

queen we have seen in the ring for a long time, 

and we saw nothing to beat her in England 

two years ago. 

Mrs. Ellis has adopted the kittens, and 

these will not pass out of Canada under 

pretty stiff figures, and wherever they appear 

in the show room they will have to be reckoned 

with by the very best. 

We got back to our hotel at n p.m., after 

a most enjoyable day among enthusiastic and 

painstaking fanciers, and we had unfortunately 

to leave out one house for lack of time. Another 

cat enthusiast who has some good Romaldkirk 

stock to sell viz. Miss Cottle journeyed 

over from Kingston on purpose to have a 

catty talk at the dog show. We feel sure 

that the Canadian contingent will have to be 

reckoned with in the future as breeders, and 

in brown tabbies are a hard proposition. As 

soon as they get hold of some better cats of

the other colours they will be up with us, 

though we do not see some of the best of the 

other colours, notably Miss Cottle's and the 

Montreal blacks. 


California is a district by itself, which can 

never be in active touch with the east, and the 

future cat of California may probably 


be the 

Siamese, for the demand for them is growing 

everyday, and the climate favours them. Cali- 

fornia is too warm to coat the long-hairs, and 

the vermin are too promiscuous in most parts to 

make the rearing or caring for the long-hairs a 

pleasant occupation. Mrs. C. H. Hoag and 

Mrs. C. E. Martling have been two of the most 

energetic in promoting the cat as a fancy in 

California, and several shows have been held, 

but at present in the language of the slang 

" there is not much doing," except in Siamese ; 

so that in taking a look over the past from a 

high point and looking down, we cannot say 

that up to now we can point to many families 

or strains that have yet made their mark in 

America ; that is, a mark that is very con- 

spicuous, for there has not been time. 

But still there are signs of strains that will 

be matters of history, and there are families 

that may be called distinctive, because the 

descendants win under different judges with 

sufficient regularity to make this noticeable. 

Some of these I have sketched in my other 

notes ; but probably the most far-reaching 

of the families that win in all colours is the 

" Humbert " 

strain, which emanates from 

" 

Mrs. Barker's King Humbert," imported 

in 1895. Not only did this cat sire a lot 

of winners himself, but cats with the " Hum- 

bert " blood to the third and fourth gen- 

eration, such as " Prince of Orange," etc., 

are still winning all over the country. Judging 

by present appearances, the " King of 

the Silvers " family, coupled with his sire 

" 

Bitterne Silver Chieftain," is forging to the 

front, and is marking out a path of its own 

as regards winnings in public. One cat 

" 

The Blessed Damozel," bred by Mrs. Barker 

in England, and by " Champion Lord South- 

ampton " ex " Peggy," by " Champion Silver 

Mist," is making a big reputation through 

her children, and the second generation is 

now beginning to win as did the first. This 

blood is very successful wherever found, and 

this is, no doubt, largely owing to the kittens 

by " King of the Silvers," though " The Passionate 

Pilgrim," who goes back through his 

sire to " Whychwood," is as good as anything 

Mrs. Barker has yet produced ; and this is 

saying a good deal, for she has bred a great 

many winners in many colours, and the effect 

of cats imported or bred by her is seen at 

every show we go to, and the ramifications 

of blood lines spread over America would 

make a book in itself. 

The very best cats from England will win 

here every time they are shown in good trim, 

and in picking cats for best in show the greater 

part of the prizes go to English cats, or to 

cats bred from English parents. The crossing 

of the natives with the English is very suc- 

cessful in some cases, and, no doubt, the 

changes of blood will in the future work to 

the good of the majority, for in size, shape, 

and coat many of the American cats are very 

good, but fail in type and quality. 

The cat fever in its present form may be said 

to be so comparatively new as an industry 

that it has not been easy to give a comprehensive 

view of the whole. Some exhibitors have 

to have 

come up suddenly, and after seeming 

carried all before them have disappeared as 

suddenly as they came, while others have kept 

on right through, though these are few by 

comparison with the great possibilities. We are 

now passing through the early days of organisa- 

tion, and the future is not always too clear ; 

but, still, I 

minence to 

have tried to give the most pro- 

those who have braved the light 

of day and have supported the shows, and 

this, really, is the only practical test of where 

we any of us stand. If I were to enumerate 

all I have heard of, and the many people who 

are interested in, the cat in America, there 

is no doubt but that a good deal more space 

than I have at my command would be used 

two or three times over ; and such is the size


of the country that it is only possible to give would not make many 

mistakes if the classes 

a light sketch of the whole ; and I do not were not too big for them. Of course, the 

expect that I shall, or anyone else could, fact must be recognised here, as elsewhere, 

begin to do justice to, or could in any way that a judge improves with experience, and 

really gauge, the number of people interested I hazard the opinion that the fewer cats he 

in cats in America. In ten years' time I owns the better he may judge, though I per- 

expect to see cities that now bring together sonally prefer for my own stock a judge who 

has at some time bred 

perhaps 100 cats, then 

having shows containing 

hundreds for in 

; 

most places, even 

where shows have been 

held, we have hardly 

scratched the surface, 

and in perhaps only 

one out of 100 important 

and possible towns 

have we ever had a 

show. The extent of 

the possibility of the 

future can only be 

slightly grasped by 

those who have 

touched the fancy, 

but those of us who 

have worked for many 

years at it see signs of 

growth now that may 

increase the fancy as 

a snowball will grow 

the further you roll 

it the faster it grows 

in proportion. We 

are only just waking. 

The future alone can say whether we shall 

succeed ; but we must face the fact that in 

America the cat fancy, as a whole, is an im- 

possibility, and that cats as exhibition cats 

can only, as a rule unless belonging to rich 

people meet each other in competition if 

within reasonable distance of each other. 

JUDGING IN AMERICA. 

In 1900, I arn not afraid to say, we had 

not more than two judges capable of judging 

a small show correctly all the way 

AN AMERICAN BEAUTY. 

(Photo: A. Lloyd, Amsterdam, New York.) 

the variety. I cannot 

that I have found 

through. To-day we have a very 

great many 

anxious to be on the right track, though 

breeders who could do very fair work, and 

it will take some a few years longer to learn 

the give and take, to withdraw gracefully, 

say 

the judging of cats in 

America a very diffi- 

cult matter, up to 

now, for classes have 

been, as a rule, small, 

and in most cases 

the winners stood out 

well ; and though, no 

doubt, there have 

been differences of 

what I 

opinion upon 

have done, I have not 

had many qualms of 

conscience over past 

doings. The weakest 

spot in the American 

cat shows has been 

the tendency of own- 

ers to over-estimate the 

value of their cats in 

many cases, and the 

disappointment of defeat 

comes sometimes 

severely upon very 

enthusiastic people ; but there is no hope for 

a fancier who cannot surfer defeat and come 

again for some more, so I think we need not 

waste our tears upon these, for they were 

never destined to succeed. Want of quality 

is another weak spot we have to contend 

with, and this often comes from the eye not 

having been trained to the best. Size as a 

factor of beauty is another fetish we have to 

destroy with a rude hand, but our people are 

apt pupils, and those who stay in the game are

and to admit that there may be another side 

to a question. My own position to-day is that 

I am as much interested in the fancy as ever, 

but I do not find the necessity for doing the 

work in so severe a manner now, for there are 

so many capable of carrying 


on what has 

been done, and the future is pretty well assured ; 

so that for the health of the fancy at large 

it is better that too much should not be 

monopolised by two or three pairs of hands, and 

some of us old-timers who- began in 1893 and 

1894, and before that, are allowing the younger 

blood to take its share of the tasks. 

In judging cats, as in other stock, 

called a " beast," I hope posterity will say 

I was a " just beast." 

It might be as well to refer to the score 

card to show where in cases such as we have 

had to contend with it has done a great deal 

of good. One hundred points make perfection, 

and the question arose in one's mind 

before using the score card as to whether the 

budding 

"CHAMPION MISS DETROI T." 

OWNED BY MRS. GROSE AND MRS. OWEN. 

(Photo: D. D. Spellman, Detroit.) 

it seems 

to me that one of the greatest criterions as 

to the success of our efforts as judges is the 

success in many cases of cats or kittens bred 

from those we have put in the front rank. 

And only time can tell the force of what we 

have done. If in the future I see cats doing 

as well as they are this season, bred from 

those I have put in the prize list, and judged 

by other judges, then shall I feel repaid for 

work done in the past, and not until then can 

I be sure I have been right. It would be 

impossible to go back through the last eight 

years and their troubles and experiences, and 

though in many cases I know I may have been 

exhibitor would be for ever crushed 

by finding that the cherished one came out 

of the score card ordeal with about 75 points 

instead of the possible 100 ; so that when it 

has been selected by 

a club for a show I have 

warned the owners of the danger ; but to the 

everlasting credit of our fanciers I may say 

that I have not had to register a kick because 

of a low score, and many even novices 

were more than pleased with a score of eighty. 

If I may point out a failing in English judging 

and we see the same thing here in the dog 

fancy the criticism is left to the reporter, 

who has not the time or the opportunity for 

finding the real faults nor the space at 

mand to do justice to the exhibits. 

com- 

The task of explaining to exhibitors why 

their animals have lost is not an agreeable 

one ; but in a land like this, where nearly 

all have been beginners, this has been an

absolute necessity, 

and the dose must be 

swallowed or no progress is made, and, as in 

the case of the score card, no doubt the having 

to give a reason is likely to keep us from 

giving prizes to one point at the expense of 

all the rest. Two great factors we have had 

to consider here are type and quality, the two 

weakest points in our cats and if we had 

; 

run to extremes in eye colour we should have 

made no progress in type or perhaps quality. 

Great stress has been laid upon markings in 

tabby cats, with very good results, and we 

are rapidly accumulating a good lot of tabbies 

especially in the Detroit district, where 

tabbies are popular, which is a thing to be 

grateful for. We have never thought it well 

here to discourage the orange tabbies for the 

sake of unmarked orange, and we have some 

very good orange tabbies whose number is on 

the increase ; and if the plain orange can range 

up beside the orange tabbies, all well and 

good. But I shall be an advocate, if there is 

a danger of one hurting the other, of making 

separate classes, for we do not want to drive 

out the good orange tabbies, which are very 

popular, and the average American who loves 

an orange cat at the present moment does not 

care whether it is marked or unmarked. 

Cats with white hair are much in favour, 


'THE COMMISSIONER. 

(Photo: Arthur, Detroit.) 

as is the case with Madame Ronner and the 

Continental fanciers ; and, if so, there seems 

to be no reason for discouraging them, and 

we may as well first make up our minds to 

the fact that, in trying to 

down the throats of the 

force English ideas 

people of another 

country with too violent a hand, we may do 

a lasting injury to the fancy at large. 

Another thing I might refer to, and that is 

that the average American exhibitor does not 

favour giving prizes to long-haired cats when 

out of coat, and the strength of the fancy and 

its future popularity lies in presenting to the 

public the cats in their best dress, and this 

mostly is the only logical way we can give out 

the principal prizes and appeal to the good 

for the 

sense of those who come to see them ; 

general public, when not experts, can only 

judge from appearance. The strength in 

England lies in the fanciers themselves, who 

have the opportunity of seeing so much more 

and of learning. 

Our future here lies in being 

able to gather recruits by presenting the cats 

to them in as perfect a form as possible, and 

therefore we have to depend upon the public. 

Our shows have to be in the winter, when the 

cats are in coat, and the dangers of exposure to 

the weather are very great, all of which is a 

good deal to the disadvantage of the fancier.


MALTESE CATS. 

A great deal of interest has been taken in 

England in the subject of blue cats in America, 

which are often called Maltese, and really among 

the rank and rile of the public this is the name 

they go by. So celebrated had some strains 

become that off-coloured cats bred from these 

cats are sometimes called Maltese, and the 

idea seemed to have gained considerable 

ground that this was a separate breed ; but 

evidence of this fact is very much lacking in 

most parts, and in travelling over a good deal 

of the country and finding them thousands oi 

miles apart, I must confess that I have never 

been able to trace the origin of these cats nor 

to find out any reason for their numbers. 

I have been led to think that they are 

the same, or were the same, in the beginning 

as the blue Russian or Archangel cat, and 

that they were brought to this country many 

years ago, and that the name was given them 

by sailors or others. The tradition possibly 

has been handed down in the same way as the 

name of Angora has remained fastened to the 

long-hairs with the average public here, and 

will be many more years in dying, for the band 

of fanciers who know better is but a drop in 

the bucket in this great land. No doubt the 

name of Maltese moved with the cat to the 

west as families moved, for in the case of 

native-born Americans the migration west 

has been often gradual : 

thus 

some moved, 

we will say, as far as Ohio, their sons and 

daughters moved to Illinois, and the next 

generation went still further, and the much- 

prized 

name. 

Maltese cat drifted on with his 

Probably a good many of the so-called 

Maltese are just blue specimens of the ordin- 

ary short-haired cat ; and, in fact, there has 

never been anyone of my acquaintance who 

had any ideas as to points or type ; but the 

colour was the feature to be looked at. We 

find Maltese cats of the short and cobby 

type besides the long and more extended 

species, but the latter predominate, and I 

am inclined to agree with some English judges 

that the fairly long cats with a cleaner cut 

head are the purer type of blue cat. On some, 

when judging, I find very good heads with 

clean-cut features, round, well-developed cheeks, 

with fairly long bodies, very even in colour. 

No doubt the preponderance of blue cats 

before the advent of the cat shows was largely 

owing to the selection of blue kittens in the 

litters, which left a great many blue sires to 

roam the streets by night and sire blue kittens. 

In many cases I have found families who 

had never heard of cat shows that had strains 

of blue or Maltese cats, and took pride in keeping 

the strain as pure as possible. And one 

great factor is that the blues have always had 

the name of being excellent mousers, and were 

valued as such. Besides this supposed strong 

point in their composition, they have always 

had a reputation for great intelligence and 

of being good-tempered and reliable about 

the house with children and young folk. 

Like the Plymouth Rock fowl, the Maltese 

cat has been one of the institutions of the 

American continent, and there seems to be 

some ground for believing the original tradi- 

tion connected with the name Maltese 

that the Maltese cat came from the East 

and was treasured as something out of the 

common, and fell among friends. Some are 

light and some are dark, and some have 

the white spot on the chest, but on most 

there is not much evidence of tabby mark- 

ings ; neither do you see this in the young 

kittens in the same way as the Russians 

are said to be at an early age. I have seen 

five and six pure light blue kittens in a litter, 

and the father and mother were both of the 

same colour. 

In quite out-of-the-way places you will, 

upon going to judge the short-hairs, find some 

blues, and often with deep brown eyes ; and 

between the 

if I were to make a comparison 

American blue and what I saw in 

average 

England as Russians, I should say the American 

cats are mostly lighter in colour, and do not 

have quite so glossy coats. Perhaps if taken 

up and selected for a few generations, these 

features would come out more strongly. 

One of the worst features of the popularity

of the Maltese, from the point of view of the 

breeder of long-hairs, has been that the blue 

colour has been so common that when the 

blue Persian was introduced he was not, in 

this country, considered peculiar. Among 

the Maine cats, so called, the blue or Maltese 

colour was not at all uncommon, and plenty 

of this colour are to be found. Some people 

who bred them obtained their stock from Paris, 

and no doubt the Chartreuse blue of olden 

times had a good deal to do with many of these. 

The oldest blue cat I ever saw was one 

reared on a farm ; 

CATS IN AMERICA. 32! 

"AJAX," BLUE-EYED WHITE. 

OWNED HY MR. W. J. STEVENS. 

he had always lived out of 

doors, more or less, and was the farm cat. 

His age was twenty-four years, and as he was 

born at the same time as the oldest son, who 

was also twenty-four years old, the evidence 

was pretty good that the age was correct. 

It must not be supposed from this that blue 

cats are so numerous as to overshadow other 

colours in North America, for we have short- 

hairs in all the common colours, and lots of 

21 

(Photo: Coleman, Westfield, Mass.) 

them ; but, still, the fact is pretty evident 

that short-haired blues have been a popular 

colour for a long time, and there are so many 

that everyone, whether cat fancier or not, is 

quite used to the colour. The native-born 

American, as a rule, calls this cat the Maltese, 

and the name, as I said before, will cling for 

many a day to come. In judging these cats, 

I must say that the proportion of small or 

short, round-headed cats is small, and that 

these in America, at least are not the most 

common type of blue cat ; and I, personally, 

in judging have usually inclined to the more 

lengthy cat with longer face and bigger ears, 

though I think it is possible to find plenty 

without absolutely mean-looking heads. We 

do not want a ferret's head on a cat, for there 

is a happy medium. 

WILD SPECIES. 

We cannot leave the American exhibition cats 

without saying a word upon the wild species,


some of which find their way 

into the show- 

rooms on more than one or two occasions. 

Of course, the cougar or mountain lion our 

biggest species is out of court on account of 

his size ; but still, if history is to be believed, 

this fine animal was never injurious to man, 

and has not been known in recent times to 

size and 

attack man, though he is fitted by 

strength to do a great deal of damage. The 

next in order is the lynx, and though this 

animal is pictured as very fierce, there is as 

much evidence to show, in other ways, that 

if taken young and domesticated, the lynx 

is amenable to reason and is very intelligent, 

full of humour, and not afflicted with excessive 

nervousness. I have seen specimens exhibited, 

and one in particular that was the constant 

playmate of a little child ; and this cat spent 

four days in a show playing most of the time 

with all the children that came along, and 

was the coolest and most unconcerned cat 

in the hall. Evidently the lynx shares the 

great brain power of the cat family which 

those who are well acquainted with cats 

are willing to concede to them, added to a 

calmness of temperament foreign to some of 

our so-called domesticated breeds that ought 

MRS. CLARENCE HOUCK S CATTERY, 

"ORCHARD RIDGE," NEW SCOTLAND, N.Y. 

to have inherited by how, perhaps, more 

savoir faire under show conditions. 

When on a ranch in the wilds with a few 

cats and dogs, where quarters were limited, 

I could never see that there was a natural 

antipathy between cats and dogs, for the 

bitches would rear kittens and vice versA, and 

the friendship was great between them so 

much so that they would play together for 

hours, and there was no danger in leaving 

dogs and cats together, shut up in the house, 

when we were absent. In later times I have 

had twenty cats or more running around with 

as many dogs, and never had a cat killed, and 

only two or three occasions when any trouble 

started. The supposed antipathy between 

cat and dog seems to be an acquired taste in 

a certain measure, and personally I do not 

believe in the antipathy being natural or a 

fact, for the two will live together in peace 

if not set upon each other by man. 

From a few observations I believe the lynx 

is capable of domestication ; of course, his 

size precludes his being numerous, but in this 

variety there are possibilities as ciently tried out. 

yet not suffi- 

Of other cats, in contradistinction to this, 

we may mention that beautiful cat the ocelot. 

This cat is fairly plentiful, and is not very

difficult to obtain when young ; and though 

they are so handsome and can be reared and 

left to run about the house till a year old, as 

they arrive at maturity 

they become 

what the ladies call 

" 

impossible." The 

ocelot with increas- 

ing age grows hopelessly 

savage, and 

will kill anything put 

in his cage that he 

is capable of handling, 

and even to his 

keeper 'he is a problem. 

This evidence 

is not hearsay, but 

is from one who tried 

for a long time to do 

something with these 

beautiful animals. 

They are, when in 

condition, one of our 

handsomest specimens 

of the cat 

tribe. 

One of the most 

fascinating little cats 

I ever judged was a 

little Marguay cat 

from Brazil, exhib- 

ited by the Zoological 

Society of Chicago, 

and though quite small and delicate-looking, 

it seemed perfectly healthy, and, as in the 

case of the lynx, was as tame and affec- 

tionate as possible, and seemed delighted to 

be noticed and handled. I cannot help thinking 

that if obtainable and kept pure this would 

make one of the most beautiful of exhibition 

cats. Small, of a reddish-brown colour, and 

clearly spotted all over, with beautifully 

shaped and small ears, which are black-and- 

white, this cat is gentle, sweet, sizeable, 

and possible as a pet. I have never seen it 

excelled by anything among the cat tribe ; 

and having handled this cat a good many 

times during the show, I may say it was one of 


MRS. CHARLES A. WHITE. 

AN AMERICAN CAT FANCIER. 

(Photo : Bolls, Chicago). 

the tamest and best-natured cats I ever came 

across in the show-room, and certainly the most 

beautiful short-haired cat possible to imagine. 

On one or two 

occasions we have 

had Australian cats 

exhibited, and they 

were funny little 

beasts, sitting up 

like a. squirrel, and 

with much the same 

shape of head. When 

genuine they are 

most quaint, but do 

not seem to live long 

here. A very clever 

fake was carried out 

with these cats at 

some of the early 

shows or, rather, I 

should not say with 

these cats, but an 

imitation of these 

cats. When the supply 

became limited, 

someone became 

clever enough to augment 

the number by 

shaving the long and 

ragged native shorthairs, 

and so well was 

it done that they not 

only won prizes, but 

on one occasion one was bought by a judge 

after winning, when to his purchaser's disgust 

a month or two later he turned out to be an 

ordinary yellow torn with his coat on ! 

The Australian cat fell into disfavour after 

a few of these experiences, and it has not 

been possible to resuscitate him. 

We often hear of the Pampas cat of South 

America being in certain catteries, but so far 

at the shows none have been produced, and 

I am inclined to think these also are of the 

impossible brigade on account of their savage 

disposition. It is a pity that some enter- 

prising fancier does not try 

wild species. 

to tame these

3-24 THE BOOK OF THE CAT. 

SOME OF THE DIFFICULTIES IN AMERICA. 

Our English readers will, no doubt, wonder 

at a good man}' things wo do in America ; 

but, never having*had the experience 

of our 

conditions, they would not be able to appreciate 

what it is that keeps the fancy back. In 

the first place, on this continent anything 

except poultry shows and dog shows is an 

unknown quantity, and many of those who 

take up the cat fancy with enthusiasm are 

perfectly innocent of any show experiences, 

and have few to teach them ; so that until a 

show or two has been held in a certain neighbourhood 

our affairs are apt to be a little 

mixed. For instance, the common idea of a 

tortoiseshell cat is as often as not a heavily 

marked tabby of the brown tabby persuasion, 

or it may be an orange tabby, or it may be a 

mixture of many colours. Until a show has 

been held in a town, very few of the inhabitants 

know whether they have good cats or not, and 

they are as likely to bring the bad as the good. 

The idea has prevailed to a large extent that 

it is very expensive to get up shows, and so 

the only opportunity made use of has been 

when a poultry show is being held and the 

promoters of this are asked for a little space, 

which they may grant, as the cats are found 

to be very conducive to a gate ; 

but the draw- 

back of this arrangement is that in most cases 

the poultry people want to make as much 

money as possible, and so keep the cats penned 

for four or five days, which in many cases 

means death to the cats. 

The cost of the hall being so great, and the 

prize money being consequently kept down 

to try to balance things, with the entry fees 

also put away up, which, all added to the 

travelling long distances and the added expense 

of hotel bills, makes the lot of the 

American cat exhibitor not too rosy, and it is 

something to wonder at that the fancy has 

ever developed at all. 

Distance from place to place is another 

factor, and when you read in England of the 

New York and then the Chicago show the 

week after, yon hardly realise that they are 

1,000 miles apart, and that if living in New 

York and you want to show in Chicago it may 

cost you 20 in travelling expenses alone. 

Another thing show committees have to 

face is the expense of the judge, and the 

difficulty of finding suitable sires within 

reasonable distance is one of the many draw- 

backs with which American fanciers have to 

contend. 

" THE BLESSED DAMO/.EI.. 

OWNED AND BRED BY MRS. E. N. BARKER. 

(Photo: Jo:. Hubner, Rutherford, NJ.)

FROM 

my earliest recollection I have had 

from one to several long-haired cats of 

that variety often called Maine cats. As 

to how and when they came, I would say, like 

Topsy, they just " growed," for their advent 

reaches far back beyond the memory of the 

oldest inhabitant. 

Our own family circle was never complete 

without one or more cats not always long- 

haired, but that variety always held the place 

of honour. 

As early as 1861 my younger brother and 

myself owned jointly a beautiful long-haired 

black, pointed with white ; he bore up for 

several years under the remarkable name of 

" Captain Jenks of the Horse Marines." I 

have no recollection of his earlier history or 

advent. I fancy, however, that these cats 

came into Maine much in the same way and 

about the same time that they did in England. 

The Maine people having had them so long, 

it is difficult to arouse any great enthusiasm 

21* 

325 

" TOBEY," A MAINE TRICK CAT. 

OWNED BY Miss CHAPLE. 

CHAPTER XXVIII. 

MAINE CATS. 

about them there. They are much like other 

people they go into heroics over things they 

know less about. 

Not until the craze for long-haired cats 

struck the West did they think much about 

selling cats ; their very best would be given 

to their dearest friends. When I think of 

the number of beauties that I have had given 

me on my return visits because I would be 

good to them, it makes me wish for the good 

old times when the little dears were beyond 

price in " filthy lucre." 

I think the first really important development 

of the cat fancy that took deep and 

lasting root in me occurred in 1869, when I 

saw for the first time a pair of blue-eyed white 

Persian kittens that landed, to say the least, 

free of duty, in a sailmaker's pocket, from a 

foreign vessel, which put into a seaport town 

for repairs after a severe storm. 

This Mr. P , 

being a great 

lover of 

cats, while on board the vessel making repairs,


admired a beautiful white Persian cat with 

a family of kittens, belonging to the cook, 

who gave him a pair of them. They grew and 

were nursed with tenderest care, the female 

developing much the better quality in hair ; 

but females were not highly prized at that 

time. 

They were both kept two or three years to 

get a good male for a gelding. I was told 

that they destroyed all the female kittens ; 

but at last they were rewarded, and then the 

original pair 

were sent to a relative in the 

country. 

From that time on long-haired blue-eyed 

white kittens sprang up in most unexpected 

places. At intervals they have appeared 

and almost disappeared several times for 

want of care in "breeding, but with this drawback 

they will still frequently come forth in 

the same fine type. 

I owned a very fine specimen called " Dot," 

who became a noted winner, and who came 

from this strain about eleven years after the 

" HKNNESSY. " 

OWNED BY MRS. HALL, BELFAST, MAINE. 

kittens landed. I think he was quite as good 

a specimen of Persian as the one that came 

from the original kittens. They were both 

cat show winners at the same time, although 

" Baba " (or 

" Babie ") was in his dotage 

when " Dot " was in his prime. We were 

not thinking of pedigrees then, but merely 

who had the best cat. 

"Baba" at that time belonged to Mrs. 

Mason (formerly Mrs. Philbrook), and won the 

cup over everything in the Boston show. 

" " 

Dot was not at the Boston show, but won 

first in his class at Bangor, Maine, which was 

held at about the same time. 

" Dot " was sent to the Bangor show to 

please Mr. Robinson, owner of " Richelieu," 

who had the management of it, and without 

the slightest thought of winning. He brought 

home a gorgeous silver butter-dish, elaborately 

inscribed, which sat about at least ten years 

before being given to the cook. Oh, that 

I had it now, that its picture might grace 

these pages ! 

For intelligence and affection " Dot " was 

by far the superior cat. I have never seen his 

equal. Although deaf, his other senses were 

so keen that we hardly realised he did not 

hear. He would answer to the slightest 

beckon, and was always watching for a call. 

He was quite proud of his beauty, and never 

failed at his mistress's receptions to speak to 

each person present before taking his seat in 

the window. 

At one time some office girls who passed 

our house every day on the way to their work 

told me he was usually on the gate-post at 

seven o'clock in the morning to salute them 

and wave his plume to them. Each 

" 

one 

and 

stroked his head, said " Pretty kitty ! 

passed on. He then took his morning 

the lawn, and was ready for his breakfast. 

roll on 

His benevolence and tender feeling for cats 

of low degree was displayed by his keeping a 

cat two winters ; his protege was an example 

of the sad-eyed forlorn cat (one sad eye, the 

other closed beyond repair) ; spirit completely 

broken by neglect. As soon as the weather 

became cool, " Dot " would usher his sad

friend into the kitchen every morning and ask 

for breakfast for him, then sit back on the rug 

the while, and with utmost satisfaction 

expressed in song watch the tramp cat eat 

it. Where he kept his friend when he was not 

he was invisible. 

eating we knew not ; 

He also excelled as a traveller, making 

several short journeys. When with me he 

scorned a basket, much preferring to sit on 

the seat and look out of the window and inci- 

dentally entertain the other passengers by his 

unusual privileges in cat travelling. 

He developed an unusual taste for moisture, 

often sitting on a garden bench through a heavy 

shower, while his frolics in a light snowfall 

were most entertaining. 

Taking him all in all, I have not yet seen 

a finer pet cat. We sent him to rest in the 

happy hunting grounds at the age 

years. 

MAINE CATS. 327 

of ten 

I would like to say a few words here in 

regard 

to American cat shows. We are con- 

tinually hearing it stated, or seeing it written 

by 

the clubs and those who are new to the 

fancy, " The first cat show ever held in this 

country," and so forth, was, we will say, 

according to their light, some three years ago. 

That is true so far as clubs go, but large cat 

shows were held spasmodically in all the 

large and some small eastern cities as far back 

as the 'seventies. 

I have a photograph of 

" 

Richelieu," 

owned by Mr. Robinson, of Bangor, Maine, 

who had won first in his class at Boston, 

New York, and Philadelphia previous to 

1884, when he was shown at Bangor, Maine, 

in a limited show of the one hundred best cats. 

He was a silver or bluish tabby, very lightly 

marked ; about seven years old at the time ; 

weight about twenty pounds ; 

he was, as his 

picture shows, rather a coarse-grained variety ; 

a drug store cat. 

I know nothing of his early history ; but 

his owner had the cat fad a well-developed 

case and travelled from city to city to show 

his cat, much as we are all doing now twenty 

years later. 

At that time Maine, near the coast, was 

. 

'' 

IH.UK DANUBE." 

BRED BY MRS. E. R. PIERCE. 

rich in fine specimens of the long-haired cats. 

That was before they began to sell. I have in 

mind their brown tabbies. 

We often hear it said by people who know 

them not that the Maine cats are unhealthy, 

that they have worms ; and I have to admit 

it, and that they sometimes die like other cats ; 

but here is one that didn't until he had 

rounded out his full seventeen years. 

On page 329 is a picture of " Leo," brown 

tabby, born 1884, died 1901 ; presented 

to Mrs. 

Persis Bodwell Martin, of Augusta, Maine, by 

Mrs. E. R. Pierce, when he was six months old. 

He lived a life of luxury and ease, having 

his meals served by his mistress's own hand in 

the upper hall, where he chose to spend his 

time for the later years of his life. 

If I may be permitted, I would ask comparison 

between the picture of " Leo " and 

any thoroughbred brown tabby first, colour 

of muzzle, length of nose, size and shape of 

eyes, breadth of forehead,' size of ears, length 

of hair in the ears, and on the head. In body 

markings " Leo " would fall off, as his hair


was so extremely long that the markings 

became somewhat confused. 

fine brown 

They have had some extremely 

tabbies in Maine. In the summer of 1900 

I bought " Maxine " there the mother of 

" 

Young Hamlet," who won over his sire 

" Prince Rupert " the first year he was shown. 

She was, or is, very much the type of the 

" 

King Humbert " stock, though she has no 

pedigree whatever. 

It is one of Nature's own secrets how they 

keep bringing forth now and then, not 

always these fine types. 

I have before me a most interesting letter 

from a Maine lady, one of my contemporaries. 

I will first explain that Maine at that time 

was one of the largest ship-building States in 

the Union, residents of the seaport towns and 

cities being often masters of their own float- 

ing palaces, taking their families with them to 

foreign countries, and having in many towns 

quite social sets, like the army set or official 

set in other sections. 

Mrs. Thomas, to whose letter I refer, was 

the daughter of the late Captain Stackpole, 

who commanded his own ship for many years, 

taking his wife and little daughter with him. 

That was before our Civil War. She says : 

" I was always very fond of cats before they 

had to have a pedigree. In my younger 

days, en route for California, we stopped at 

Juan Fernandez, and I got a little wild cat. 

" Later on, when in Europe, I got a Manx 

cat from the Isle of Man ; it was a great 

curiosity, and not considered very handsome, 

with its bob-tail, and hind legs so much longer 

than the front ones. It came to an untimely 

end by running up a flue, and was smothered 

to death. 

" The wild cat did not flourish on condensed 

milk, and lived but a short time. Bad luck 

has followed me right along, but I keep right 

on like an old toper, and don't know enough 

to stop." 

In writing of her own cat, the mother of 

" Swampscott," she says : 

" I cannot tell you much about my cat's 

pedigree only that her great-grandfather was 

brought to Rockport, Maine, from France ; 

was a blue-eyed white." 

This line of whites, while in the same 

locality, are the first 

quite distinct and unrelated to 

whites mentioned, of which " Dot " 

was given as a type. 

But her reference to her early exploits with 

Manx cats clears the air as to how these dif- 

ferent varieties first got root in Maine. This 

instance is only one in many where pets of 

every variety were bought in foreign ports to 

amuse the children on shipboard ; otherwise, 

as in one case I can call to mind, the children 

would make pets of the live stock carried to 

supply the captain's table with fresh meals 

chickens, lambs, etc. until it would be 

impossible to eat the little dears after they 

were served by the cruel cook. 

Therefore birds of plumage and singers, 

cats, dogs, and even monkeys, found their way 

to nearly all the coast towns many more in 

the past than at this time, when sailing vessels 

have passed their usefulness as money-making 

institutions, and those that do go out are 

not commanded by their owners ; paid captains, 

as a rule, cannot take their families 

with them, and the supply of cats from that 

source has been cut off for many years, so 

those we find there now can safely be called 

natives. 

Up to this point I have been writing of the 

cats of the long, long ago, and perhaps only 

interesting to myself, being as full of plain 

facts as Gradgrind. 

Before coming down to some of the fine cats 

of the present day, I will say that I am told 

by an eye-witness that on a little island quite 

well off the coast which is inhabited by only 

three families, and where a few gentlemen 

have a quiet nook to fish in summer, 

they found pure white Persian cats with 

the most heavenly-blue eyes. So far as 

is known, no other cats are on the island. I 

had the promise of a pair last year, but cruel 

fate had visited them in their sheltered nook, 

and the kittens that year died. The promise 

still holds good, and I do not want to believe 

it a " fish story." Time alone can finish it. 

he

I really know nothing 

said to be found on the islands ; 

they 

of the cats that are 


but no doubt 

are much the same as those found all 

along the New England coast. 

For a long time the long-haired cats seemed 

to be confined mostly to the coast towns and 

cities ; but the giving their best to " their 

sisters and their cousins and their aunts " 

have spread them inland, as well as scattered 

them over nearly every State in the Union. 

They thrive as well as any other long-haired 

cat. No doubt they do still better in Maine, 

but the difference comes from the fact that 

they have the freedom of living 

very 

" LEO." BKOWX TAIiBY. 

OWNED BY MRS. P. MARTIN. 

: (Photo Bunion, Hallowell.) 

a natural 

life, without dopes or over-coddling. Their 

offspring are beautiful, because they are from 

their own choosing, and not from compulsory 

mating often distasteful, no doubt. 

About 1895 or 1896 the cat fad struck the 

Middle West. The time was ripe for its 

development. The high, the low, the rich, 

the poor have all felt its force, as the real love 

of animal pets is no respecter of persons, and 

this fancy has made the whole world kin. 

A few people who had never seen a cat show 

in their native land " go across," attend a 

cat show, or pick up a cat at a bargain on the 

streets of London ; they " fetch " it home, 

and, lo ! their neighbour has seen something 

like it while at their summer home on 

the coast of Maine. The fad is contagious, 

and if they have the fever running very high 

they send back east to their "handy-man" 

to get them a long-haired cat, and these cats 

become popular. Clubs are formed to discuss 

points and exchange knowledge, shows become 

a necessity, large premiums are offered, numer- 

ous valuable specials become a feature, cats 

must be found to fit them, the home market 

at a low figure is looked over, many Attic 

treasures are brought out, and have often 

tipped the scales in favour of the Yankee cat. 

We all turn green with envy. Before another 

show we must import a ready-made winner 

the meantime, the demand 

at any cost ! In 

for the home-grown article is increasing, and 

prices are getting much inflated, the dealers in 

large cities keeping their buyers busy in the 

New England field during the fall and winter 

months. But the stock of kittens has been 

looked over by the summer residents or 

visitors ; the real cream disappeared with 

the first frost to some winter homes in the 

big cities ; the dealers get what is left at 

almost any price they please to pay, many of 

the specimens being indifferent, and some, 

no doubt, mongrels. 

In the last few years I have known less of


the Maine cats, except through the shows and 

a few that I have owned myself, which have 

not been shown much or proved remarkable 

in any way ; but among the gems that have 

shown out with more or less brilliancy when 

on the bench we find " Cosie," a brown tabby, 

taking first and special for best cat in show 

in New York, 1895. Mrs. Lambert brings 

out " Patrique " in New York in 1896 blue, 

and a nice one. 

"King Max" first brought out by Mrs. 

Taylor won in Boston first in 1897-98-99, only 

to be beaten by his sire " Donald " in 1900. 

Mrs. Mix has shown a fine Persian type 

" 

from Maine called the Dairy Maid." I 

believe she has also " Imogene," from the 

same place a tortoiseshell. 

Mrs. Julius Copperberg's " Petronius," of 

whom we all expected great things, was from 

a line of creams coming well down from a 

fine cream brought from some Mediterranean 

port by one Captain Condon about fifteen 

years ago. I have secured for friends several 

kittens from his cat's descendants, which are 

"YELLOW H. 14 BEAUTY." 

OWNED BY MRS. STAPLES. 

now somewhat scattered, but all showing 

great, strength, form, bone, and sinew. 

' ; 

Mrs. Chapman's Cusie Maxine " 

a fine 

type of brown tabby, dam of " Young Hamlet," 

who won over his sire " " 

Prince Rupert 

was also a Maine cat. 

Mr. Jones, of The Cat Journal, has from 

time to time had some fine brown tabbies of 

the Maine stock, winners at some of the 

larger shows. 

A fair representative of the whites, who has 

acquitted himself well at the various shows 

in competition with large classes, is " Swamp- 

scott," owned by Mrs. F. E. Smith, of Chicago. 

He comes from Mrs. Georgia Thomas's white 

cats at Camden, Maine, his maternal greatgrandsire 

coining from France. 

" " 

Midnight a younger black cat, winning 

second at Cincinnati to a cat from New Hampshire 

in better coat, and second in Chicago 

in 1901 in large classes has since become a 

gelding and pet of Mrs. J. J. Hooker, of Cincinnati. 

He comes from a line of blacks 

owned by a retired sea-captain named Ryan,

who had at one time four generations of black 

cats. They loved their cats like babies, and 

for years looked for people suitable to give 

their kittens to. I have been the flattered 

recipient three times in the last dozen years 

of these beautiful black diamonds. 

" Antonio," a gelding, now owned by Mrs. 

A. B. Thrasher, of Cincinnati, Ohio, 


is also a fine 

representative of this stock. See photograph. 

In the last few years, since cats there are 

at such a premium and old age getting nearer 

every day, these good people have hardened 

their hearts, and now sell like others to the 

highest bidder. 

I can also think of " Peter the Great," a 

neuter cream and white, owned by 

Mrs. Carl 

Schmidt, shown at Detroit, Michigan, 1901. 

Also "Black Patti " 

originally owned by 

Miss Ives and " Rufus," both Maine cats, 

now owned in Detroit, and winners in some of 

the Middle West shows ; 

and 

many, many 

other winners whose place of nativity is a 

sacred secret with their owners, which we will 

not wilfully expose to public gaze until our 

native cats have been accorded the place that 

is due to them. 

I would like to tell you of some of the hand- 

some geldings in Maine. No cat is too good 

for a pet with them. They may be seen on 

nearly every lawn or stoop ; but as that is a 

little out of the province of this story I will 

describe one a beautiful smoke owned 

only 

by Dr. and Mrs. E. A. Wilson at their beautiful 

home in Belfast, Maine. He is now ten 

years old ; his mask and feet are black, or 

MRS. BAGSTER'S (i 

nearly so ; 

his hair is very dark, rather brown- 

ish at the tip, but as white as snow at the skin. 

I have begged them to show him at Boston 

or New York. The answer is always the 

" 

same : Not for any amount of money or 

' 

prizes. Tags ' 

wouldn't like it he ; would 

' 

be unhappy. Wouldn't you, Tagsie ' 

? " 

The smokes have not been well developed 

there yet. In a letter lately received in 

regard to that variety, 

the regular agents said he found only about 

I am told that one of 

one in 200. The silvers and chinchillas are 

not common. The strong colours predominate, 

whites, blacks, blues, orange, and creams, 

tabbies also being well divided and distributed 

along the coast, and for quite a distance back, 

perhaps sixty miles or more ; but I have not 

known of -their appearing to any extent in the 

northern portion of the State, which is less 

thickly settled. 

Having had this fancy from my infancy 

and before it became a fashion, I took kindly 

to all the new developments. I have since 

had some experience with imported and kennel- 

bred cats, and from time to time had opportunities 

of seeing the best we have in our 

shows, and I fully believe that cats that have 

their freedom, as most of the Maine cats have 

for the greater part of their lives, are healthier 

than kennel cats can be. The cool climate and 

long winters, with clean air full of ozone, is 

what is needed to develop their best qualities, 

and, with a few years of careful breeding for 

types, they would be able to compete quite 

successfully in an international cat show. 

F. R. PIERCE. 

DEMIDOFF." 

(Photo : Cassell & Company, Limited.)

\ LL lovers of the cat who are also amateur 

_~A_ photographers must have seen with 

envious admiration the lovely cat pictures 

by Madame Ronner, the more racy and 

amusing sketches by Louis Wain, and the 

many beautiful photographs which so greatly 

enhance the instructive and pictorial value of 

this " Book of the Cat." 

To the amateur wishing to take up this 

fascinating, though somewhat difficult, branch 

of photographic art, 

332 

A SNAPSHOT. 

: (Photo E. Landor, Baling.) 

CHAPTER XXIX. 

CAT PHOTOGRAPHY FOR AMATEURS. 

I venture to offer a few 

suggestions. 

The subject naturally divides itself into two 

distinct branches the commercial and the 

artistic. By the " commercial " I mean all 

photographs taken with the special aim of 

of the cat from 

showing the shape and points 

the fancier's, owner's, or purchaser's point of 

view. In the " artistic," I include all those 

pictures where the cat is used as a model only. 

In either kind of work almost any sort of 

camera and lens will do, providing it will 

yield a fair definition and admit of rapid 

exposures. If one possesses a portrait lens 

all the better. At all events use a lens which 

will give you good definition at a large aper- 

ture. A good make of roller-blind shutter is 

an important accessory, with a sufficient length 

of tubing to the pneumatic release to enable 

one to move about freely while holding the 

ball and to get close up 

to the cats while 

making either time or instantaneous exposures. 

The camera stand should be very firm and rigid. 

I like best to work in the open air, my 

studio being the small open run of my 

cattery. If the light is too direct or strong 

I diffuse it by stretching light blue art 

muslin curtains above the table or stand 

upon which the cats are arranged. These 

curtains run with rings upon cords stretched 

from the boundary walls on each side, so that 

they may be moved in any way the lighting 

may require. For background a dark plush 

curtain will be found useful. Avoid figured 

backgrounds, as they detract from the value 

and crispness of the cats and accessories. 

An 

example of what I mean will be seen in my 

picture on page 158 of the present work,

where the feathers in the hat, one of the motives 

of the composition, 

CAT PHOTOGRAPHY FOR AMATEURS. 333 

are almost lost in the 

scrolls of the curtain used for background. 

Three things are absolutely necessary to 

successful photography of cats for either com- 

mercial or artistic purposes time, patience, 

and an unlimited number of good quick plates. 

Of all animals the cat is possibly the most un- 

satisfactory sitter should we attempt by force 

to secure the pose we desire. By coaxing we 

can generally get what we wish. Patience is 

the keynote of success. Before commencing, 

make up your mind as to what points you 

then pose your cat gently and 

wish to show ; 

wait patiently until the pose becomes easy. 

She may jump down or take a wrong pose or 

go to sleep a dozen times or more, but never 

mind, give plenty of time. It is here where 

patience tells. Wait and coax until you see 

just what you desire, then release the shutter 

and make the exposure. At this point never 

hesitate or think twice especially with kittens 

or the desired pose may be gone, and will 

possibly cost you hours of waiting again to 

secure it. 

Before photographing a cat for its general 

appearance or for any special points, it is 

essential to have it thoroughly groomed and 

got up as carefully as for show. Speaking 

generally, the coat of a long-haired cat should 

never be roughened ; it altogether spoils the 

shape of the animal, and does not in any way 

improve the appearance of length, quality, or 

texture of the coat. In all cats where their 

markings are one of their chief points such 

as tabbies and tortoiseshells, etc. this rough- 

ening should be specially avoided. There is, 

possibly, one exception to this advice, and 

that is in the case of smokes, where it may be, 

and sometimes is, desirable to turn back a 

small patch of the fur to show the quality 

and purity of the silver under-coat. In such 

cases the turning back must be done only for 

this purpose, and in such a natural way as 

not to interfere with the general flow of the 

fur or the shape of the cat. In posing a cat, 

it is well to remember its faults as well as its 

good points, so that the former may be hidden 

as much as possible and the latter displayed 

to the best advantage. Let us take this somewhat 

extreme example : A friend has a 

domestic pet a so-called Persian, but with 

weasel head, long back legs and tail, large 

ears, small eyes, short coat, but some slight 

pretence to a frill. What can we do ? To take 

him in profile will result in a very sorry carica- 

ture of the noble Persian ; so we coax pussy 

to bend her back by sitting on her hind legs, 

and so partly hiding them as well as apparently 

shortening her back, inducing her also to curl 

her long and scanty tail round her feet. We 

brush out the ear tufts, if she has any, and 

press up the fur at the base of the ears, for 

this will tend to make them look smaller. 

Having placed the camera well in front of and 

nearly on a level with the cat, so as to foreshorten 

the nose and head, while showing 

what frill there is, a sharp squeaking sound will 

make pussy open her eyes to their full extent ; 

we press the ball, the exposure is made, and 

we have secured a fairly presentable photo- 

graph of our friend's perchance charming pet, 

yet most indifferent Persian cat. 

A few good examples of cats taken for the 

purpose of showing points should prove use- 

ful, especially to the novice, and many such 

examples are to be found in this present work 

" 

on the cat for instance : p. 29, Litter of 

Siamese Kittens"; p. 100, "Champion Jimmy"; 

p. 138, "Star Duvals"; p. 139, "Omar"; 

p. 145, "A Perfect Chinchilla"; and p. 150, 

" Dossie." With these examples and the many 

others that are to be found scattered through 

the pages of " The Book of the Cat," the 

would-be photographer of the cat for her show 

points should have little difficulty in setting 

up a standard to work to, and by patience 

and perseverance succeed in attaining it. 

Turning now to the more artistic side of 

cat photography, we find our real difficulties 

begin, for in photographing for the showing of 

points we seldom have to deal with more than 

one cat at a time. It is when we attempt 

deliberately to pose two or more cats or 

kittens, to carry out a preconceived idea, that 

our real troubles begin, and also that the


patient skill of the amateur wins its best 

reward. Looking through the pages of " The 

Book of the Cat," we find many good examples 

of how the cat should be used in picture 

making. The reproductions of Madame 

Ronner's charming pictures show how they 

may be handled with palette and brush ; but, 

alas ! here we photographers labour under an 

immense disadvantage. However artistic our 

taste, however good and pretty our intended 

composition may be, we cannot, as the artist 

with pencils and brushes can, make individual 

sketches of pussies in the different positions 

needed and bring them together in the finished 

picture. Whether we use two or more cats, 

they must each be kind enough to take the 

pose we desire simultaneously ; hence our 

greater difficulty. However, the illustrations 

on pages i, 37, 49, 88, 128, 199, and many 

others indicate the wide field open to the photo- 

grapher with a little taste and vast patience. 

In this class of photography it is of no use to 

go to work in a haphazard fashion, snapshotting 

our cats in all kinds of positions, trusting 

to mere luck to yield something worth 

keeping ; then to give a sounding title to it, 

and so hope to make a picture. Accident does 

occasionally present us with something worth 

having, but far more often it offers us results 

only fit for the waste-paper basket. 

Before commencing, be sure you have an 

idea to work out in your picture, and of the 

lines you hope to follow in giving it expression. 

If possible, make a rough sketch no matter 

how rough of this idea, showing the position 

not only of the cats, but also of the accessories 

needed. Be careful to keep the composition 

simple 

AMATEUR PHOTOGRAPHERS. 


and not to overcrowd it. This sketch 

will greatly assist you in arranging your picture 

and posing your cats. Before you 

attempt to pose the cats it is absolutely necessary 

that all accessories should be fixed so 

that they cannot be knocked over, or the cats 

will get frightened arid be useless as sitters for 

a long time to come. That cats are nervous 

should never be forgotten, and any chance 

of startling them strictly guarded against. 

When your background, table, and accessories 

are all in their places, put your camera in 

position, arrange the picture on the ground- 

all well within the 

glass, and see that you get 

size of the plate i it is safer to have the picture

on the ground-glass a little smaller than the 

plate will allow, as, if one tries to get it to its 

utmost size, one may find in developing that 

one of the models has moved back on the 

table an inch more, perhaps, than calculated 

upon, and as a result have half a cat on one 

side instead of a whole one. The background, 

however, should be large enough to fully cover 

the ground-glass. Focus the foreground and 

nearer accessories, stop down to F. 8, set the 

shutter to about ?V to vo second (according 

to light and nature of subject), insert the 

slide containing the rapid plate, draw the 

flap under the dark cloth, and if at all windy 

tie this last to the camera. Now you are ready 

for the cats and a suitable moment of light. 

As I have already remarked, I do my photographing 

out of doors. I therefore choose a 

bright warm day, when there are plenty of 

fleecy clouds about ; 

CAT PHOTOGRAPHY FOR AMATEURS. 335 

so that by taking advan- 

tage of their position in front of the sun, and 

by the help afforded by my muslin curtains, 

I am able to modify the harsh contrasts 

incidental to working in broad daylight. 

' 

The Artist " (page 128) was, perhaps, one 

of the most difficult subjects I have attempted. 

Without apparent life and go such a subject 

would be worthless. 

The rough sketch of the cat in the basket 

was first prepared, and the brush attached to 

it in such a manner that it would move freely 

up and down for about an inch or so ; then 

it and the rest of the accessories were firmly 

the table. The cat. in the 

arranged upon 

PLAYING AT \V O K K . 


basket was then made to take her place, but 

keep in she would not as soon as the brush 

; 

moved to attract the artist paw, out she would 

jump ; 

so for the time she was allowed to run, 

until the artist was posed and an endeavour 

made to infuse life into him by moving the 

brush. But it was "no go " ; sit down he would, 

until the introduction of a feather woke him 

up. His companion was then slipped into 

the basket ; but, alas ! success was not yet. 

For about two hours we had to begin over and 

over again, when at last the pose of both 

kittens was obtained simultaneously and the 

picture taken in ^V of a second. Such a subject 

with the kitten tamely sitting at the 

handle of the brush would not in any way 

have realised my intention. 

I must again point out the great convenience, 

especially in this class of work, of the extra 

length of tubing, which allows you, while holding 

the release in one hand, to pose your models 

with the other, and then expose without the


fatal loss of time that would be entailed by 

having to step back to the camera or by giving 

the word to an assistant. 

A subject suggestive of a picture will often 

turn up when least expected and, at the time, 

impossible to take. I always make a note of 

these, and they come as a basis for future use 

" " 

and to be worked out at leisure. Thieves 

(page 79) was suggested by noting the fondness 

of two of my kittens for melon, " Amateur 

Photographers " by a group of kittens playing 

round some photo frames put out to print, 

and " Mischief " (page 88) by a frolicsome 

kitten overturning a small bottle of ink and 

playing with the little black pool. 

Isochromatic plates should be used in all 

cases where there are mixed colours in the 

cats' furs, as in tortoiseshells, brown tabbies, 

mixtures of red, black, and yellow cannot 

etc. ; 

be truly rendered with ordinary plates. 

The 

in their use is 

only extra precaution necessary 

absolute freedom from actinic light in the dark 

room. Double ruby glass in the window, or, 

if artificial light is used, an extra thickness of 

red tissue paper round the developing lamp, 

will answer the purpose and make everything 

safe. With this little extra care, nice crisp 

negatives are obtained, while the relative value 

of the red, yellow, 

and black seen in our 

furry friends are well defined in the resulting 

picture. 

Cat? used as models should, if possible, be 

in the 

model 

pink of 

the more 

condition 

pleasant 

the prettier 

the picture. 

the 

The 

best time to photograph a cat is about one 

hour after a light meal. 

meal most cats want to 

Immediately after a 

wash and sleep. A 

hungry cat or kitten makes the worst of sitters ; 

its thoughts are too much turned towards the 

inner man. Never overtax your cats, give them 

plenty of rest during a sitting, and never lose 

your temper and attempt by force to secure a 

pose ; 

it only frightens the cats, and can never 

result in satisfactory work. Time and patience 

should always in the end achieve what you 

desire. 

IN THE STUDIO. 

(.Photo : Mrs. S. F. Clarke.) 

Artistic photography having been for some 

years a pleasant and recreative hobby with me, 

I can assure my friends who keep cats for 

pleasure, and those who find pleasure in the 

camera, that by uniting the two hobbies they 

will discover a field of enjoyment and artistic 

possibilities which neither pursuit alone can 

afford. To all such the preceding notes are 

offered as humble finger-posts, indicating rather 

than assuring the road to success. 

LUCY CLARKE.

IT may truly be said that the subject most 

interesting to cat fanciers is the successful 

rearing of kittens, and pages might be 

written on what to do and what not to do in 

of kits in health and 

order to bring up a family 

strength. Experience teaches us many tilings, 

and certainly during the number of years I 

have been breeding Persian kittens I have had 

ample opportunity of judging what food suited 

the little mites best, and which was the surest 

method of bringing up a wholesome litter of 

kittens. I am sure that in the olden days 

there was less delicacy amongst Persian kittens 

than at this present time. 

"With the advent of the first family the 

anxieties of the novice begin. Perhaps a 

goodly sum has been risked in the purchase of 

a pedigree queen, or else with much careful- 

ness and taking thought a valuable kitten has 

been reared to happy matronhood. So far 

well ; the trouble has been slight, but the 

account book shows all on the debit side. 

Now, as we gaze upon the tiny blind bobbing 

atoms, over which the mother croons and 

22 

357 

TABITHA S AFTERNOON TEA. 

: (Photo C. Reid, Wishaw, N.B.) 

CHAPTER XXX. 

REARING OF KITTENS. 

here is the investment that 

purrs with pride, 

has to swell our credit column. And ignor- 

ance here spells loss. 

If a large number yearly are successfully 

raised, a still larger number sadly " pass out," 

and might claim the baby's plaintive epitaph : 

" Since I am so quickly done for 

I wonder what I was begun 

for ! 

Neither does the comfortable law of the 

" survival of the fittest " seem to hold good 

here. At least, Nature and the exhibitor arc 

at variance in their ideas of such, for always 

it is our choicest, our sure and certain cham- 

pion, that slips our too eager grasp. 

Here is our experimental nest of champions ; 

they are but two days old, and in this early 

stage of their existence the less they are 

handled and examined and the mother inter- 

fered with, the better. 

Attend to two things darkness and fresh 

air ; and leave them alone till they introduce 

themselves of their own accord to your notice. 

Shift on to a clean nest the second day after 

"

338 THE BOOK OF THE CAT, 

birth. It is safer not to do so before, as I 

have known a belated kitten arrive twentyfour 

hours after the rest of the family, and in 

the case of an excitable or inexperienced 

mother she will by then be more composed, 

and can be coaxed out to feed while the 

short and 

change of bed is being made. Hay, 

sweet, is the best bedding much better than 

blankets or cushions. Many fanciers use boxes 

turned on their sides and curtained. These, 

while giving the necessary darkness, are not 

sufficiently ventilated the air in them 

; 

cannot circulate freely, and 

and foul, vapours ascend, 

becomes unsanitary 

becomes 

and the 

stuffy 

wood 

in a very short time. 

Bad eyes follow as 

a matter of course, 

and the anxious, 

worried novice wonders 

"how they can 

possibly have taken 

cold when they have 

been so guarded " 

from fresh air ! 

and seals them up 

still more! If, A HAPPY 

therefore, a box is 

used, let there be holes for ventilation, or 

arrange for the covering to reach only partly 

over the top. 

In an outside cattery or attic or room guard 

against too much light and any draught, but 

let in the outside air by keeping the window 

open during the day. If winter kittens are 

to be reared, heat the room to an average 

of 55 degrees, and have the window open, 

taking precautions naturally against rain 

or snow beating in. 

When the kittens reach the age of three 

weeks, they will require some food beyond 

that provided by the mother, who, if nursing 

a large family, is perhaps showing signs of 

wear. It is when the process of weaning 

begins that trouble generally arises. 

I am inclined to put down the growing 

delicacy of Persian kittens to the injudicious 

feeding with solids at too early a period of 

their existence. I never used to allow my 

kittens meat until they were about four or 

five months old, and during the period of 

from their mothers it is most essential 

weaning 

that all food given such as Mellin's, Ridge's 

and Benger's should be made very thinly at 

first, so as not in any way to try the tender 

digestions of the little creatures. 

I believe that most of the ills that kittens' 

The 

flesh is heir to, proceed from indigestion. 

tendency in fanciers is to overload the stomach 

of the wee kittens, forgetting that it is not the 

amount of food eaten that nourishes the tiny 

creatures, but the quantity they are able to 

digest, and this must 

necessarily be small 

for some weeks after 

they have learnt to 

feed themselves. 

Another mistake 

that is made is 

milk that is 

giving 

too rich. In large 

towns we generally 

get our milk watered 

for us, but in the 

MOTHER. country the milk is 

richer, and needs 

mixing with warm water. It is not so important 

in the country as in London and other 

large towns to have the milk boiled, but 

it is at all times and in all places a wise 

precaution. In preference to risking the 

town dairy milk, flavoured with boracic, and 

most deadly to the systems of both kittens 

and babies, I advise a good brand of Swiss 

milk such as Nestle's being employed, or, 

better still, Plasmon powder, made to a jelly 

according to directions on packet, and one 

teaspoonful of this jelly thinned out with hot 

water and sweetened. Do not give raw meat 

till the teeth are fairly through and they can 

bite sharply ; then give it scraped with a blunt 

knife, not cut ; 

and remember that raw meat 

is three times as digestible and nourishing as 

cooked meat one tiny meal of meat a day, a 

teaspoonful per kitten to begin with. Do not 

give them fish while under three months old.

REARING OF KITTENS. 339 

Rice is a very indigestible food for kittens, water added to a saucer of any liquid is very 

especially cold ; but rice-water, strained from advisable, as it strengthens the limbs and 

rice boiled to a pulp and given quite cold, is use- forms bone. If a kitten under a month or six 

ful in checking diarrhoea. 

Melox is a most useful food 

for kittens of ten weeks 

old and upwards, soaked 

for an hour or two in a 

little good gravy, and given 

crumbly (not sloppy), and 

a little scraped raw meat 

mixed with it. For younger 

ones a tablespoonful of red 

gravy from a cooked joint, 

over some bread- 

poured 

crumbs, proves an appetising 

meal. 

Small meals at short in- 

tervals are infinitely better 

than heavy meals at long intervals, and if 

a young kitten is left for many 

MRS. BONNY'S " DAME FORTUNE. 

(Photo: L. R. Stickclls,Cmnbrook.) 

hours till half 

eat too 

famished, it will in all probability 

much and suffer in consequence. From four 

to ten weeks six or seven 

meals in the twenty-four 

hours are none too many. 

I am presuming that till 

that age they will be with 

their mother at night, 

which will do away with 

the necessity of providing 

food between 9 p.m. (when 

the last meal should be 

given) and 8 a.m. Give always 

a light and warm meal 

for the breakfast. After 

ten weeks lessen to five 

meals, after three months 

four, and give four till six 

months old, when they may 

be fed as adults, unless one 

should be delicate or has 

been through severe illness. 

The best test of a properly thriving kitten 

is its weight, and i Ib. for each month of 

M R S. BO NNY S 

L.R. Slickells, Cranbrook.) 

(I'lioto : 

age is a fair average, occasionally exceeded 

by very big-boned and robust kittens. For 

young growing kittens a teaspoonful of lime- 

' DKREB1 K 

weeks old is unfortunate 

enough 

to have a severe 

illness, whether epidemic 

or accidental, my advice 

is to chloroform it. At 

so tender an age the con- 

stitution rarely recovers 

from the strain. 

Although 

no intention of encroach- 

this article has 

ing upon that treating 

specially of diseases, our 

aim and object being to 

rear such healthy sturdy 

families of kittens that 

they shall never have any 

diseases, yet, en passant, it might not be 

amiss to remark what a valuable medicine for 

the first symptoms of distemper is Pacita, a 

herbal medicine that can be obtained in both 

powder and pill form. 

The latter is to be pre- 

ferred, as, the smell being 

very nasty, kittens rebel 

against 

it. Half of No. i 

size pill is sufficient for a 

kitten under three months, 

to be given fasting in the 

morning an hour before 

food for three mornings. 

It reduces fever and clears 

the system in a wonderful 

manner. 

The question of outdoor 

exercise must now be discussed. 

1 speak of summer 

kittens only. Winter kit- 

tens viz. those born from 

November to Februaryare, 

I think, a mistake. Out 

of season, like forced green peas at Christmas, 

they have not a good start in life ; the damp 

and darkness of those months is very deterrent 

upon young life. Nature's plan of arranging 

for the new lives to come chiefly in the spring

340 

when days are lengthening and sunshine lias 

power, is the wisest. They grow 


with the 

days, and have the summer to romp through 

and grow big and strong before the leaves fall. 

It is a mistaken policy that of exposing to 

risks under the intention of hardening. We 

must remember that the Persian cat is an 

exotic, and that the present system of breeding 

for coat and show points does not tend to 

make the race hardier ; on the contrary, 

the constitution is more delicate than 

probably 

in its native country, imported cats invariably 

boasting a vigour and hardihood that our 

lack. It is not cold 

pedigree specimens sadly 

that injures ; frost and snow can be borne by 

grown-up Persians with impunity, and even 

enjoyment. It is the damp that kills, and 

upon consideration we shall see that this is 

largely a question of coat. 

Look at your English sleekly groomed puss 

as she comes leaping across some dewy field in 

the early morning, pressing through a thick, 

wet hedge. She gives herself a shake ; examine 

her fur : not a dewdrop has adhered, hardly 

are her pads damp. Now pick up your 

Persian gentleman who has taken a slight 

hunting stroll through the same : ground his 

stomach fur is soaked, clinging like wet linen 

to him ; his " knickerbockers " are disreputable, 

his frill clammy ; and it will take him 

a good hour to get himself clean and respectable 

once more. The soft woolly under-coat 

of the Persian holds water like a sponge, where 

the close short coat of the British cat shakes 

it off as from duck's feathers. This is the true 

secret of the delicacy of the Persian. So in 

rearing kittens, let your first care be, avoid 

damp. 

A sick kitten generally forgets its manners, 

however carefully it has been trained to the 

use of the dry earth or sawdust box ; it seems 

to feel too bad to care how it behaves, so due 

allowance must be made at the time ; 

but in 

health, cleanly behaviour must be insisted upon 

from the time they begin to trot about their 

nursery. Begin by placing a very shallow 

tray of nice dry fine earth in one or two corners 

that the kittens seem to have a predilection 

for ; it may even be necessary to put them 

in all four corners for a little while to convince 

some obstinate or dullard member of the 

family. 

A cat's confidence is harder to win than a 

dog's, but once you have gained it the animal 

will trust you implicitly, and will bear pain or 

nasty dosing at your hands without resentment. 

I think kittens should be handled from early 

days. I do not advocate a valuable kitten 

being sent up to a humar nursery, 

to be 

hugged flat or carried head downwards by the 

too-adoring occupants ; but kittens should be 

thoroughly accustomed to human society and 

to being picked up, caressed, and handled. 

It will make their subsequent show career tar 

less of a terror, and greatly augment their 

chances of success ; and in the case of all 

male cats, whether for stud or neuter, it is very 

convenient to train them to walk on a lead. 

Begin by using a light ribbon, and two kittens 

led together on separate leads will come more 

willingly than one. The first lessons in walks 

might terminate at the feeding dish, so that 

the kits would quickly associate this new 

form of exercise with something to eat. 

It sometimes happens that young kittens 

are too early bereft of maternal care from some 

cause or other. Mr. A. Ward, of Manchester, 

has invented an artificial foster-mother (see 

page 343). This consists of a glass vessel 

covered with flannel, and having indiarubber 

teats. This is filled with warm milk and 

water, and the kittens help themselves ! 

It is only of comparatively recent date 

that any serious attention has been given to 

the successful breeding of Persian kittens. 

A demand has arisen for animals that 

approach perfection, according to a recognised 

standard of points, and it may not be unprofitable 

to devote a few pages to the consideration 

of how these can be best obtained. 

Formerly a long-haired cat was not much 

thought of unless he really deserved his name, 

but nowadays coat is rather at a discount on 

the show bench. 

Points, points, points colour of eyes, colour 

of coat, shape, expression, and what not

these are all considered first, and length and 

beauty of coat are rather apt to be overlooked. 

The amateur cat lover should provide him- 

self with a female cat or kitten of fine health 

and luxuriant coat, and treat it precisely like 

any other " well done by " domestic pussy. 

Probably by the time she is twelve months 

old she will have insisted on matrimony. This 

is worth a little consideration and trouble, 

but if the choice lies be- 

tween a healthy, hardy long- 

haired torn at large in your 

own neighbourhood 

and a pedigreed 

prisoner at a distance, 


A LITTER OF EIGHT, BELONGING TO MISS SAVEKY. 

d'hoto: H. Warschawski, St. Leonanls-on-Sea.) 

I should recommend 

the local monsieur. 

What you want is physique and a fine 

appearance, and you are more likely to get 

them in this way. 

Many owners of Persians have been quite 

content to rear saleable kittens of average 

merit, and trust for their show reputation to 

fine animals bought from others. 

To encourage breeders special prizes are 

offered at shows to those who win a first 

prize with a cat whose mother was in the 

exhibitor's possession at the time of the 

kitten's birth. They are very handsome 

22* 

trophies, and have to be won four times before 

becoming the property of the exhibitor. 

Over against the mistaken motto of " Haphazard 

" we must place the password of 

"Selection" if we would become successful 

breeders. Selection clever, thoughtful, painstaking 

selection lies beneath all real success. 

I am not denying that excellent results are 

obtained occasionally by accident, but these 

happy 

flukes want follow- 

ing up if any permanent 

good is to be effected. 

Having a queen 

of a given colour, 

you should, as a rule, mate her only with a cat 

of the same colouring, and be especially careful 

not to cross self-colours with tabbies. 

Now selection, as too often understood, 

means just this : A male cat makes a great 

sensation at a show and wins many prizes. 

He is the right colour, therefore to him you 

will send your queen. What can be simpler ? 

Why this fuss about the difficulty of breeding ? 

But' you are a novice, and know nothing of 

the value of the pedigree owned by the winning 

monsieur. It is not so much he himself as 

his inherited tendencies you have to consider, 

for assuredly they will reappear in his children.

34-2 THE BOOK OF THE CAT. 

An old hand will tell you, " Yes, a grand head, 

but where he got it from is a miracle, with 

such parents "; or, "Colour? Yes, first-rate, 

but he was the only one clear from sandy 

in the litter." Well, what can a bewildered 

novice do ? Remember, you have to try to 

cap each of your queen's defects with a corresponding 

virtue in her mate. If she is 

snipey in face, make head a chief point ; if she 

fails in colour, lay great stress on colour ; 

and so on. My advice is, do not send her to 

a new star who has but just arisen in the sky 

of the cat world until you know a little more 

about your business. Mark your catalogue 

at shows. Study the cats and kittens whose 

points please you and who are filling the prize 

lists, and then notice their sire's name. When 

you find the same name repeated again and 

again, and always attached to animals of consistent 

merit, you will not do far wrong to 

choose the owner for your queen's mate. 

But after having exercised all possible care 

in the selection of a male cat, we must not 

expect the litter of kittens to be perfection. 

All breeders know that there is, as a rule, one 

kitten in each litter which far surpasses its 

fellows in beauty. 

Perhaps one will possess the type of head 

you so covet, but 

the colour is in- 

ferior. Another 

" STAR OF THE SPHERES " AXD " SON OF ROY. 

BRED BY Miss E. A. CHAMBERLAYNE. 

(Photo : Russell & Sons, Baker Street.) 

has colour or markings to perfection, whilst 

the head is poor. Well, then, they must be 

mated with an eye to remedying these defects, 

and a near relative possessing these strong 

points will be likely to prove the most success- 

ful cross ; for in-breeding careful, cautious, 

and judicious is another secret of the success- 

ful breeder. But cne word of caution to the 

novice : Never be persuaded to breed from 

an unhealthy animal, be his or her points what 

they may, and never allow your queens to 

mate when thoroughly debilitated and out of 

health ; 

for this lies at the bottom of the diffi- 

culty experienced in carrying 

out the next 

point we have to consider i.e. the successful 

rearing of kittens. If cat fanciers could learn 

this lesson, we should hear far less of infant 

mortality. 

For the ordinary mode of kitten rearing it 

is essential to have proper out-door quarters, 

and, if possible, quarters isolated from each 

other. There is nothing more suitable than 

the portable houses so readily obtained ; but 

these must be on a dry foundation. 

Sunshine, fresh air, and wholesome food 

are the essentials of a kitten nursery. More- 

over, there must never be many young things 

kept together. Otherwise, some imlucky day 

you will find a sad-faced kitten looking down 

its nose, and in two or three days more your 

whole tribe will be down with distemper and 

your hopes for the year shattered. 

I know it sounds brutal, but I cannot re- 

frain from saying that sentiment is 

the ruin of successful kitten rearing. 

Some tiny morsel develops a skin 

trouble, has chronic diarrhrea, bad 

eyes or snuffles, and we tenderly nurse 

it for many weary weeks and perhaps 

save it. 

A victory ? Yes, if the morsel 

were a gem of great value, one of 

the " surprise babies " in colour or 

shape that now and again visit every 

cattery, it may have been worth paying 

the cost. For pay we shall have 

to, make no doubt of that. Your 

kitten nursery will never be quite so

healthy again, and in spite of all precautions 

you will very probably carry sickness to your 

other stock. I would never breed from un- 

healthy animals, and I would at once destroy 

a very sick kitten of tender age. 

Lethal boxes rob the act of inhumanity, 

and you will probably have one little tomb- 

stone to erect instead of a dozen ! 

One great feature of success is the boardingout 

system. Any woman really fond of cats 

who will take a kitten into the bosom of her 

family and rear it is a perfect boon. Of course, 

she must be well paid, but if she is successful 

you can afford to be liberal. 

In these cases it is better only to put out 

your choice specimens that you wish to attain 

some age before sale or to keep for stock. The 

others should be sold off at about eight to ten 

weeks old at moderate prices. 


Far more of the trouble with kittens comes 

from defective digestion than from any other 

cause, and I suspect we frequently overload 

their little interiors. 

When 

nature makes 

the small cat 

turn away from 

its dinner, we 

fall into a panic 

and pour~beef 

essence down 

its throat. Pro- 

bably a short fast was all that was required, 

and it is a mistake to force food until 

some hours have elapsed. In fact, healthy 

surroundings and common -sense treatment 

are the main secrets of successful kitten 

rearing. 

THK " FOSTER-MOTHER IN ACTION. 

Glacier, Longsight.) 

(Photo : H 

THE " FOSTER-MOTHER. 

(Photo : H. Glacier, Longsight.)

^>OLOUR breeding is a most fascinating 

V_^ pursuit ; but, unfortunately, the average 

cat fancier lacks the -patience to follow 

it out to a satisfactory conclusion. 

There is no doubt that by judicious crossbreeding 

new colours could be produced, and 

I think that they will be produced in time. 

I have seen a chocolate-brown cat and a yellow 

cat with black stripes, and no doubt they will 

appear again ; also chestnut-brown cats and 

white cats striped with black may be bred. 

The point which I wish to discuss on this 

occasion is not so much the experimental cross 

as the cross which is desirable to improve 

colours. I do not consider that a 

existing 

white cat should be crossed with any other 

colour. There is no advantage to be gained 

in this case by crossing, as we already have 

white cats good in bone, substance, head, 

shape, etc., and no other colour of cat possesses 

blue eyes. I do not for a moment suggest 

344 

(Photo: E. Lanitor, Baling.) 

CHAPTER XXXI. 

COLOUR BREEDING. 

that good 

white cats have not been bred from 

coloured parents, but this is unnecessary and 

undesirable, because there is a risk of introducing 

coloured patches and smudges and 

yellow or green eyes, and there is no correspond- 

ing advantage to be gained. In the same way 

I do not consider that it is a good thing to 

breed from white cats with yellow or odd eyes. 

Blue-eyed kittens have been bred from two 

yellow-eyed parents, and frequently when one 

parent has yellow or odd eyes the kittens are 

all blue-eyed, but this can in no way be 

depended upon. 

Black cats are a little more difficult to 

handle than whites, because a white is neces- 

sarily white, while there is sometimes a diversity 

of opinion where a black is concerned. 

The most important point to keep 

before us 

in black-breeding is the colour of eyes. 

Whatever we cross with we must be careful 

that we do not lose the orange eyes, for they

are most elusive, and we are, theretore, somewhat 

limited in our selection of suitable crosses. 

A smoky or dirty black is an abomination, 

and for this reason I consider that from the 

point 

of view of the black cat all crosses with 

blues, smokes, or silvers should be avoided ; 

in any case a good silver would be impossible 

because of its green eyes. A rusty black is 

undesirable, but a rusty kitten usually makes 

a better-coloured cat than a smoky one, though 

there are notable exceptions to this rule. A 

good orange-eyed tortoiseshell or red tabby, or 

an orange, are all suitable mates for a black. 

A curious thing I have noticed is that the best 

blacks are bred from bright clear-coloured 

cats, and that dull colours, such as smokes, 

blues, and fawns, do not, as a rule, produce 

good - coloured kittens. For this reason I 

should prefer blacks bred from an orange-eyed 

silver tabby to those bred from a dark brown 

tabby. On the whole, a brightly coloured 

tortoiseshell will be found to throw the best 

blacks. 

Of the crossing of blues with any other 

COLOUR BREEDING. 34! 

colour I do not approve, because we have 

many different blue strains, among which can 

be found all the different points which are 

desired. Comparisons are odious, but it I 

refer to the Bath show of 1903 I can explain 

" 

what I mean. Skellingthorpe Patrick " is 

a beautiful cat in all points except eyes, 

but " Don Carlos " and several other blue 

males in the class had glorious orange eyes. 

I have often heard that crossing a blue with 

a white will produce very pale blue kit- 

tens ; I have not found this to be so, and 

it seems unlikely, for mate a black cat with 

a white one as often as you like, and you may 

wait a lifetime before they breed a blue kitten ; 

therefore why should a dark blue and a white 

produce a pale 

" PATRICIA," HROWN TABBY. 

BRED ny Miss FANNY EI.I.IS, TORONTO. 

blue kitten ? Sometimes cross- 

ing with a black is recommended " to get the 

but it must be remarked that 

orange eyes," 

the proportion of black cats with good orange 

as low as that of blues. When 

eyes is quite 

this cross is resorted to, let the black parent 

be the male, as otherwise the kittens may very 

likely all be black.


It is the misfortune of the smoke cat that 

it has been indiscriminately and unintelligently 

crossed with the black and the silver tabby, 

and, worst of all, with the blue. Strangely 

enough, there seems to be some close affinity 

between the smoke and the silver tabby, 

cross with whatever is least likely to introduce 

stripes i.e. a self-coloured cat, or preferably a 

shaded one. Of course, any tinge of red or 

brown is to be avoided, and, therefore, the only 

shaded cat left to us is the smoke, and a green- 

eyed smoke is certainly 

the safest cross we can 

akin to the chinchilla 

and it should be our object, as far as possible, get, as it is sufficiently 

to keep them apart. To this connection is 

attributable the prevalence of green eyes and 

to obviate the risk of a violent out-cross. The 

leg and face black is, I think, the next best cross, for it is 

markings among smoke cats. In just possible that the colours may not inter- 

crossing smokes there are many difficulties to fere with one contend with. We must keep 

another, and that we shall get 

the light under- pure 

we must have the 

black and clear silver kittens of course, 

a green-eyed black must be used. Third on 

coat, but avoid markings ; 

black face and legs 

and retain the light 

frill ; and we must 

have orange eyes. 

All crosses with tabby 

must be avoided, or 

we shall never get rid 

of face pencillings ; 

but judicious crosses 

of black, blue, or 

(best of all) chinchilla 

may be of service. 

A black cross is 

better than blue be- 

cause, though either 

endangers the under- 

coat, it will intensify the black mask and legs. 

The one advantage of a blue cross is that it 

MISS GODDARI) S PAIR OF KITTKXS 

: (rhoto E. Ltitutor, Ealinx.) 

the list comes the 

white ; 

but 

this 

cross makes for ab- 

sence of markings, 

and therefore demands 

great caution, 

as thereby the black 

noses and e y e 1 i d s 

which add so much 

to the charm of a 

chinchilla may be 

lost and the result be 

merely a dingy, dirty 

white cat. This ani- 

mal, though not particularly 

attractive 

in itself, is, I need hardly say, invaluable 

for crossing again either with a clear-coloured 

will, sooner than any other, help to eliminate 

markings ; chinchilla, a black, or even a blue. 

but the blue kittens from such a A blue cross is, as a rule, rather objectioncross 

must be sternly rejected, as their colour able, because it seems to produce a muddy, 

will never be satisfactory. The chinchilla is 

the best cross for the smoke so far as colour 

is concerned, and an orange-eyed chinchilla 

should be of service for breeding smokes with 

light frills and good under-coats. A cross of 

chinchilla may with advantage follow a black 

cross. 

We now get to the subject of chinchilla 

breeding ; it is a matter of common know- 

dull colour, but there is no doubt that it 

may occasionally 

be resorted to with success. 

I should suggest that the blue parent (a greeneyed 

one, of course) should be the sire, as 

when the reverse is the case the kittens are 

frequently blue tabby. 

I do not think any colours besides those I 

have mentioned should be crossed with chin- 

chillas, though 

I must confess that chinchilla 

ledge that chinchillas were produced as the kittens occasionally turn up most unexpectedly. 

result of careful 

until the breed is 

in-breeding, and, therefore, 

more firmly established, any 

I recollect a very pale one appearing in a litter 

whose sire was a cream of brown tabby and 

sudden outcross is likely to cause a reversion cream parentage, and whose dam was a pale 

to the barred ancestors. The idea, then, is to blue bred from a blue and a blue tabby. There

may have been silver tabby 

COLOUR BREEDING. 347 

blood in the 

strain, but certainly no chinchilla. For all 

this I do not recommend a cream or tortoise- 

shell cross, as the chances are all against the 

kittens being any good, and it is laying up a 

understood, I have no fault to find ; I can 

forgive him even his white chin, because he is 

such a magnificent animal ; but he is not a 

tabby, and should not be shown as such. 

In the brown tabby we want dense black 

store of disappointments in the next genera- markings on a clear golden-brown ground. 

tion. We have all possessed cats which, 

though beautiful in themselves, never threw 

a kitten worth keeping. 

I had a little cat myself 

bred from two chinchilla 

parents. The 

dam was a well-known 

winner, and her ances- 

try was, I knew, irre- 

proachable, and the 

sire's appeared to be 

equally so, though I 

was told afterwards 

that he often sired 

brown tabby kittens. 

But my queen (herself 

a prize-winner), no 

matter how she was 

mated, invariably 

threw 

kittens. 

brown tabby 

We now come to the 

very fascinating subj ect 

of tabbies, and I may 

as well say at once that 

The black is there right enough, but it wants 

breaking up." A cross of strongly marked 

red tabb}' is the thing ; 

not a " self - 

orange," 

mind you that would 

only make things 

worse but the best- 

coloured red, with a 

dark chin, that can be 

found. When the 

markings want intensifying, 

as may be the 

case after the red cross, 

we must mate with a 

black ; but I do not 

think this will be neces- 

any amount of crossing 

a sandy, silver tabby 

is for the present de- 

1 

LOLLYPOP ONE OK LADY MARCUS BERESFORD S dam, both of unknown 

sirable and even necessary, 

but it must be 

SILVERS. 

(Photo: IL. Lamior, Euling.) 

pedigree. The silvers 

were clear and pure in 

done systematically and under a careful and colour, with capital black markings, and the 

experienced eye. The novice* is likely to fail 

because he does not understand the essential 

sary, 

as brown tabbies 

rarely "wash out " as 

silvers do. It is curi- 

ous to note that many 

years ago I bred quantities 

of beautifully 

marked silver tabbies 

and brown tabbies from 

a brown tabby sire and 

browns had good rich colouring. This is a 

cross I should certainly hesitate to recom- 

points of a tabby. Let him keep before his mend, but there are possibilities concealed 

mind the fact that if two distinct black stripes 

run the whole length of the spine and if the 

therein, and it is worth an occasional experiment 

with the sole object of rescuing the 

chest markings are good there is not likely to 

be much wrong with his cat's other markings. 

In the brown tabby, the markings have 

degenerate tabby markings. 

It is a curious fact that while the tabby is 

supposed to be the common ancestor of all 

become too heavy, they have run together and our cats, the tabby markings should be the 

spread into a heavy black saddle ; while the most difficult point to retain in the pedigree 

ground colour has lost warmth and white chins cat. 

are prevalent. With the " sable " cat, be it A brown tabby cat with a good-coloured

chin should always be retained to breed from, 

even if it fails in some other points. 

It is, I know, the general opinion that the 

craze for chinchillas has ruined the silver tabby, 

but I do not feel convinced that this is so. I 

am of the opinion that the constant breeding 

of silver tabby to silver tabby will eventually 

result in the production of poorly marked cats. 

" " 

Felix Mottisford 

Let me give an example : 

was a very heavily barred son of " Champion 

Felix," and " Patz " was also heavily barred 

and bred from silver tabbies. Two of their 

" " " 

kittens were Silver Midget and My 

" " 

Fairy." Midget was a prettily marked 

silver tabby, but much lighter than her 

parents, and showed a strong tendency to 

" " 

throw unmarked kittens. Fairy was cer- 

tainly a silver tabby, but her markings were 

entirely on the surface, and as she grew older 

faded away until she was more shaded than 

barred. Mated with a blue, she produced four 

chinchilla kittens ; mated with " Lord South- 

ampton," 

there were two well-marked silver 

tabbies and two chinchillas (this litter included 

" Dimity " and " Abbess of Broomholme ") ; 

mated with " Silver Lambkin," there was one 

" 

chinchilla kitten Fitz Eustace" and the 

rest were silver tabbies ; by " Tuan," a much 

more marked cat, the kittens were all chin- 

THKEE LITTLE AMERICANS. 


chillas (" Tuan," I may mention, was a distant 

cousin of " Fairy ") ; by " Silver Lustre " 

there were two chinchillas and two silver 

tabbies. I then parted with her, and she 

afterwards had, by " Silver Chieftain," a litter 

of silver tabbies and chinchillas, including 

" Silver Tangle " and " Silver Sprite." After 

that date I have no record of her doings, but 

it can be seen that she certainly showed an 

inclination on her own account towards chin- 

chilla kittens, and this, I take it, was the result 

of the continued mating together of silver 

other cross 

tabby cats. I do not consider any 

than black is admissible in a silver tabby strain, 

but the introduction of black blood is neces- 

are to be 

sary from time to time if markings 

retained. I go so far as to say that a cross of 

green-eyed black in every third generation 

would be a wise precaution. 

The red tabby, the orange, and the tortoise- 

shell are rather hopelessly mixed up at present. 

The self-orange (so called) did not exist a few- 

years ago, but of late a premium has been put 

on absence of marking, and a lot of cats with 

self-coloured or shaded bodies and striped faces 

appear in the orange classes and win all the 

prizes. I have no fault to find with the shade 

of colour of these cats ; they are a beautiful 

bright clear orange, but if they are to be self- 

coloured the face markings 

must go. Crossing with blue 

gets over this difficulty, but 

we- immediately lose bright- 

ness of colour and get dull 

yellows and fawns. Tortoiseshell 

is a safe cross, but the 

ancestry 

of the tortoiseshell 

must be carefully inquired 

into, and one bred from black 

and tortoiseshell is best, or 

we can go direct to the black. 

Tabby cats or any of a blueor 

grey colour should be- 

avoided in this connection. 

Clear, pale yellow creams 

may be bred from oranges and 

tortoiseshells ; 

but these must 

not be confounded with the

fawn-coloured cats, often called creams, which 

are more common and easy to breed. Though 

creams and fawns occasionally appear in the 

same litter this is generally 

the fault of their ancestors, 

and can be accounted for if 

the pedigree is known on both 

sides. As a matter of fact, 

I have never seen one of 

these clear yellow creams 

which was not descended, 

however remotely, from 

Mrs. Kinchant's strain. Ex- 

of the colour I mean 

amples 

are "Cupid Bassanio," 

"Zoroaster," " Dairy Maid," 

" Mistletoe," and a few of 

their descendants. 

To breed fawn creams is, 

comparatively, a simple matter, 

as a cross of blue and 

orange will almost invariably 

produce some fawn 

kittens, if especially the dam 

is blue. When the dam is orange or tortoise- 

shell there will often be a number of blue 

tortoiseshell kittens which are valueless. 

Some people like them to breed fawn creams 

from, but I have never found them more use- 

ful for this purpose than a correctly coloured 

tortoiseshell. 

Tortoiseshells are entirely neglected by 

fanciers nowadays, and are only used as a 

stepping-stone 

to more fashionable colours. 

There is no doubt that a tortoiseshell can be 

got to breed anything ! I knew a queen which 

bred magnificent blacks, blues, creams, oranges, 

fawns, and smokes, whether mated to a blue, 

a cream, or a smoke, and I believe she also 

threw chinchilla kittens to a chinchilla sire. 

To breed tortoiseshells for the show pen we 

must not indulge in any haphazard matings. 

The fault of the tortoiseshells is, as a rule, that 

the red and yellow has run all over the black, 

and instead of having a clear patchwork of red, 

yellow, and black, we have a blur containing 

COLOUR BREEDING. 349 

" HOLMLEA THISTLEDOWN. 

OWNED BY MRS. KEEP, SYDNEY, NEW SOUTH WALES 

a preponderance of yellow. The obvious 

remedy 

best tortoiseshells are bred from blacks, and 

is our old friend the black. All the 

a black and a red tabby or 

orange will generally throw 

some good tortoiseshells. To 

produce tortoiseshell-andwhites 

cross a tortoiseshell 

with a black-and-white rather 

than with a white, but avoid 

red tabby, as a tortoiseshelland 

- white cat frequently 

shows tabby markings for 

this breeding. 

The red tabby has nearly 

died out among long-haired 

cats, though it flourishes in 

the short-haired variety, but 

by crossing a brown tabby 

with an orange it might be 

revived. No doubt there 

would be a few mis-marked 

kittens in the litter, but the 

chances would be in favour 

of a good red tabby, and the colour could 

then be preserved by crossing with black 

and tortoiseshell only. 

Of course, it is no use trying experiments in 

cross-breeding in the hope of obtaining definite 

results unless we are satisfied as to the pedigree 

of the cats employed for at least two 

generations, or all our calculations may be 

upset. For example, when breeding for 

chinchillas, if we used a black bred from 

a brown tabby mother the results would be 

disastrous. 

A point to be carefully noted in cross- 

breeding is to select a cat with eyes of a colour 

desired in the breed which he is destined to 

would be correct 

improve, whether those eyes 

in his own family or not. This suggests a use 

for our rejected green-eyed blues and blaeks 

and our orange-eyed silvers. 

My notes, as may be observed, are on the 

subject of long-haired cats, but they will be 

found equally applicable to short-hairs. 

HESTER COCHRAN.

THE CAT'S PLACE IN NATURE : 

T a very remote period in the history 

of animal life when the struggle for exist- 

ence was rife, the carnivorous and predaceous 

animals (to which the existing cat 

belongs) occupied a position in the scale of 

creation as important as the one they hold today. 

We find locked up in the rocks of the 

tertiary and recent pleistocene formations the 

bones and teeth of these ancient cats along 

with those of the animals upon which they 

lived. 

These ancestors of our cat had a tolerably wide 

geographical distribution, and they apparently 

differed considerably in size, as do the different 

members of the existing cat family. The 

crested cat (F. crestata) was probably as large 

as a tiger more re- 

B 

FIG. I. BKAIN OF CAT. 

A, Right hemisphere of cerebrum ; 

B, Cerebellum ; c, Medulla 

; oblongata D, Olfactory bulb 

; K, Convolu- 

(nerve of smell) 

tion, or Gyrus ; F, Fissure. 

33 

CHAPTER XXXII. 

cent remains having 

a closer affinity to 

existing 

ITS ANCESTRY, CLASSIFICATION, STRUCTURE, 

AND DISTRIBUTION. 

cats are 

found plentifully in 

caves and in the 

beds of 

deeper 

rivers and lakes 

almost all over the 

British Islands. 

Probably the most 

remarkable of these 

extinct cat-like 

creatures is the 

Machcerodus, the 

skulls of which 

(Fig. ii.), with portions 

of its skeleton, 

associated with the 

bones of other animals, 

have been 

found in the cave 

deposits in Brazil, North and South America, 

India, Persia, many parts of Europe, as well as 

in the British Islands viz. Kent's Cavern, 

Creswell bone caves, and other places. The 

skull, which is very typical and cat-like in 

form, is remarkable for the extraordinary 

development of the upper canine teeth, which 

in some species exceed seven inches in length. 

The Machoerodus was about the size of a lion. 

The ancestors of our cat were certainly more 

specialised in parts of their organisation. The 

nearer we approach the recent forms a greater 

uniformity in structure prevails, until we get 

in the existing cat-like group (Felis) probably 

the most consolidated and uniform of all the 

generic mammalia. 

FAMILY CHARACTERISTICS. 

Under the generic title of Felis are in- 

cluded over fifty-one distinct species, of 

which the lion, tiger, leopard, puma, and our 

common domesticated cat may be taken as 

representative. They inhabit every region on 

the earth's surface, except the extreme northern 

latitudes, and vary in size from the tiger and 

lion to the little red-spotted cat of India, which 

does not exceed fifteen or sixteen inches in 

length. But it is, as already indicated, very 

uniform in order as regards structural points. 

All have well-developed, retractile claws, the 

only exception being the cheetah, whose claws 

are only partially retractile ; all have five 

toes on the fore feet, and four on the hind 

all the teeth are cusped, or pointed, and 

feet ; 

specialised for flesh-eating, as well as for aggressive 

purposes. The incisors in front of the 

upper and lower jaws are small, the four 

canines well grown and long, with a cutting 

the molars, or cheek 

edge on the inner side ; 

teeth, have one to five cusps, points, or lobes. 

All the members of the family are digiti- 

grade (i.e. use only the extremity of the toes 

in walking) ; 

the tympanic bulla, or ear-bone, 

is large and prominent ; the general form of

the skull is rounded and broad across the 

orbits, or eye-sockets (the latter are, with two 

exceptions, open or incomplete behind) ; the 

clavicle, or collar-bone, is reduced to a short, 

curved, splint-like bone ; in many species it 

is absent. 

The stomach is always simple, intestines 

relatively short, tongue covered with minute 

spines. In many species the pupil of the eye 

contracts in one direction only, thus giving it 

a linear and upright form. The majority of 

the species are nocturnal ; the habits of the 

genus are very diverse. The lion apparently 

prefers the drier, sandy areas covered with 

short, scrubby vegetation ; dense 

others 

forests, and live much in 

prefer the 

the trees. 

Many species 

THE CAT'S PLACE IN NATURE. 

are found at considerable alti- 

tudes, the snow leopard being found at 18,000 

feet. All the members of the group can swim, 

and several species (i.e. the fishing cat of 

India and Southern China) are adepts at catching 

fish, but immersion is invariably avoided. 

The colours of the different members of the 

genus Felis vary considerably. It may be a 

uniform, tawny, pale brown, or a grey as in 

the lion, puma, eyra. The tiger is striped 

the ocelot has bands or rows of 

transversely ; 

more or less fused spots ; 

the serval and several 

other species have solid black spots ; the 

leopard, clusters of spots, forming a kind of 

star ; the jaguar has the spots arranged in an 

open ring. In the clouded leopard of Southern 

India the markings are composed of irregular 

groups of lines and spots, merging into the 

colour of the animal's coat. A black 

ground 

variety of the common leopard is occasionally 

found in a wild state. Albinos, or white forms, 

are extremely rare in nature, though quite 

common in the domesticated cat. 

GENERAL STRUCTURE OF THE CAT. 

The natural food of all the cat tribe in a 

state of nature is carnivorous, and the whole 

organisation of the group is specialised and 

adapted for aggressive or, if need be, defensive 

purposes. The body is compressed laterally, 

The bony framework or skeleton is light, 

and, for the purpose of an elementary descrip- 

tion, is readily divisible into three parts 

viz. (i) the skull ; (2) the axial skeleton, com- 

prising the bones of the neck, thorax, loins, 

and tail ; (3) the appendicular skeleton or 

limbs. The skull is short, rounded, and broad 

across the orbits or eye-sockets, which are 

large in proportion to the skull. The posterior 

rim-of the orbit is, with three exceptions, 

out of the fifty-one species viz. the fishing- 

cat (F. voverrina), the rusty spotted cat (F . 

rubiginosa), and the flat-headed cat (F. 

planiceps) incomplete or open. The teeth 

of the fully adult cat should be thirty in 

number sixteen in the upper jaw and four- 

teen in the lower. They are, divided by the 

comparative anatomist into three sets or 

groups viz. incisors, canines, premolars, and 

molars their number and position being con- 

a dental formula thus : 

cisely expressed by 

I 'i C. 1, PM. f, M. T. The six incisors in 

the upper and lower jaw are small, simplepointed 

teeth, with a simple fang or root. 

Then we have a long canine or flesh tooth C C '. 

the most important functional tooth the cat 

FIG. II. SKULL OF THE GREAT SABRE-TOOTHED CAT. 

FROM THE CAVES OF BRAZIL. (Macliarodtts Neogoeus.) 

has, for with it and its fellow the living, 

and has a considerable amount of flexibility struggling prey is seized, retained, and killed, 

in it as a whole. In the upper jaw, immediately after the


canine, are three premolars PM. These are 

the second or permanent series, and succeed 

the kitten's milk-teeth. The first one is very 

the second 

small, and has only a single cusp ; 

, is .larger, and has two usps ; the third is the 

largest, and is sometimes called the " sec- 

torial " tooth. It has three pointed cusps and 

three fangs, or roots. Immediately behind it, 

and placed somewhat transversely, is the 

single true molar. It is a small tooth, of 

FIG. III. SUPERFICIAL FLEXOR 

TENDONS OF THE CAT'S 

LEFT FORE-FOOT 

A, Perforatus, or flexor sub- 

; digitorum B, Perforans, or 

flexor profitndus digitorutn. 

FIG. IV. BONES AND PRINCIPAL LIGA- 

MENTS OF A CAT'S TOE, SHOWING 

MECHANISM OF RETRACTILE CLAW. 

A, Distal or terminal phalanx; B, Middle; 

c, Proximal ; D, Perforatus tendon ; E, Per- 

forans tendon ; F, Elastic ligament. 

obtuse form, and indefinitely cusped ; it has 

no predecessor in the kitten's milk set. 

In the lower jaw, immediately after the 

canine tooth, there are only two premolars 

(PM. PM'.) in the permanent set which have 

predecessors, the last tooth (M.) being the only 

true molar, and having no predecessor in the 

milk set. Occasionally, in the lower jaw there 

is a small premolar corresponding to the first 

premolar of the upper jaw. In the kitten 

from about six or seven weeks to about five 

months old, there are only twenty-six teeth, 

the number and form being very similar to 

the adult set. The two permanent molars in 

the upper and lower jaw are absent. 

The Axial Skeleton (see p. ^354) consists of 

the bones forming the neck, thorax, loins, and 

tail. The neck is relatively short, and con- 

sists of seven bones a number almost con- 

stant throughout the animal kingdom, the 

giraffe, the hippopotamus, and the whale 

having the same number. Succeeding these 

are the dorsal, or thoracic, vertebrae (thirteen 

in number), each one supporting two ribs one 

on each side. Then follow the seven vertebras 

IT. 

B. 

FIG. V. PADS OF CAT S 

LEFT FORE-FOOT. 

A, Plantar pad ; B, Digital pad ; 

c, Pisiform pad. 

composing the lumbar region. They are stout, 

thick bones, with long, transverse processes 

for the 

porting 

attachment of certain muscles sup- 

the body cavity, etc. No ribs are 

attached to these bones. Immediately behind 

are three smaller bones forming the sacrum, to 

which the pelvis, or hip-bones, 

are articulated. 

The terminal bones of the axial skeleton are 

the tail, or caudal, and vary from nineteen to 

twenty-one. 

The Ribs (thirteen on each side) 

are ex- 

tremely light, elastic, and slender. Nine of 

these on each side join the sternum or breastbone 

directly, and are called true ribs ; 

the remainder 

are free, and terminate in cartilaginous

points, 

which are adherent to the true rib 

terminations, for support. 

The Sternum, or breast-bone, consists of 

eight bones, from each joint of which springs 

a rib-like costal cartilage, to which the true 

ribs are articulated. The cat's collar-bone or 

clavicle is very short and rudimentary ; it has 

a slight attachment to the acromion process of 

the scapula, the other end terminating in the 

muscles of the chest. It is often absent. 

The Appcndicular Skeleton includes the fore 

and hind limbs. The fore limb in the cat, as 

in the majority of mammals (see plate, 

is a subtriangular flat bone, with 

P- 355 )> 

a ridge on the outer side for the attachment 

of certain muscles moving the leg. 

In a small hollow on the posterior 

or lower border is articu- 

lated the head of the 

hnmcrus (4), or arm-bone ; 

its lower or distal end is 

expanded, and receives the 

end of the ulna (10), which 

with the radius (9) forms 

the bones of the forearm. 

The wrist or carpal bones 

(8) include seven small 

bones, the upper row being 

attached to the radius, the 

lower row to the five phalanges 

of the toes (7) ; to these latter are 

articulated the bones of the digits, or fingers. 

The terminal 

KIG. VI. C. CATS SKULL FROM 

i:i-:i.o\v, WITHOUT LOWER JAW, 

THE CAT'S PLACE AY MATURE. 353 

FIG. \i.b. CAT'S 

WITH LOWER 

bones of the cat's 

foot arc encased 

by powerful 

hooked claws 

(Fig. in.). When 

at rest, the claw 

is brought to the 

outer side of the 

middle phalanx 

by the elastic 

ligament F, the 

flexor tendons 

being relaxed. 

c 

"'hen the cat is 

SHOWING PALATAL SURFACE. on the point of 

23 

seizing its prey, 

the greater power 

of the flexor tendons 

stretches 

the weaker elas- 

tic ligament, the 

claw is brought 

down, and so a 

powerful grip is 

obtained. The 

under-surface of 

the cat's fore and 

hind feet is protected 

by certain 

hardened pads of 

FIG. VI. . CATS SKULL' 

VIEW FROM ABOVE. 

subcutaneous and fibrous tissue viz. the 

plantar pad, giving chief support to the leg, 

and the digital pads protecting 

the claws, etc. 

These pads are, of course, 

has many powerful 

of additional use in aiding 

the cat's noiseless and 

stealthy progression. 

The cat's hind limb is 

articulated by a ball and 

socket joint to the hip-bone 

or pelvis (20), which is 

again firmly united to the 

three bones forming the 

SKULL, SIDE VIEW 

JAW IN PLACE. 

sacrum D. The thigh-bone 

or femur (19) sustains the whole body, and 

muscles attached to it 

concerned in the springing movements so 

characteristic of the animal ; to its lower end 

is articulated the principal bone of the lower 

leg, the tibia (13). At the union of these two 

bones on the anterior side is the knee-cap, or 

patella (12). 

On the outer aspect of the tibia 

is a slender bone, the fibula (18), its outer end 

being attached to a prominence on the tibia, 

the lower end to one of the large bones (the 

astragalus) which form the, tarsus of the foot. 

The Tarsal bones (14) consist of seven bones, 

the largest of which is the os calcis (17), or 

heel-bone, to which powerful muscles are 

attached. Succeeding the tarsal bones are the 

four bones forming the metatarsal bones (the 

fifth or inner toe being absent, though often


present in the dog). To these are attached 

the phalanges of the toes, with the claws, etc., 

similar to the fore foot. 

A better idea of the superficial muscles of 

the cat is obtained from an examination of the 

plate than by any technical description. It 

i. Maxillaris. 

2. Caninus, or Nasalis. 

3. Orbicularis. 

4. Temporalis. 

5. Mastoideus. 

6. 

7. 

Cephalo-humeral. 

Posterior and anterior portions of 

8. 

9. 

TO. 

ii. 

Infraspinatus. 

Latissimus dorsi. 

Great Oblique. 

Prominence of Hip-bone. 

[Trapezius. 

12. Gluteus niedius. 

13. Prominence of Thigh-bone, or Femur. 

14. Gluteus maximus. 

15. Muscles concerned in the movements 

of the Tail. 

will be seen that for its size the cat's muscles 

are well developed ; 

its kin, the lion and tiger, 

are known for their grodigious strength in 

bearing away young oxen, deer, antelopes, etc., 

upon which they live, as well as for their 

leaping powers and agility and courage. 

Although the cat's muscles are identical 

with those of its more powerful relatives, it 

FIG. VII. SUPERFICIAL MUSCLF.S OF A CAT. 

16. Fascia lata covering deeper muscles. 

17. Biceps femoralis. 

18. Semi-tendinosus. 

19. 

20. 

21. 

22. 

Gastrocnemius. 

External Saphenous Vein. 

Point of Heel, or Os Calcis. 

Plantar or Flexor Tendons of Sole of 

Foot. 

23. Kxtensor Tendons of Toes. 

24. Internal or Inner Saphenous. 

25. Sartorius. 

26. Rectus abdominis. 

27. Serratus magnus. 

28. 

29. 

Pectoralis major. 

Elbow, or Olecranon 

Ulna. 

Process of 

lives too much in the lap of luxury for them to 

attain to a proportionate development. 

A well-known writer has estimated that 

there are 500 muscles concerned in the movements 

of the cat's body. 

The cavity of -the cat's body is separated 

30. 

31. 

32. 

33. 

Flexor carpi ulnaris. 

Superficial Extensors of Toes. 

Annular or Wrist Ligament. 

Extensor communis digitorum. 

34. 

35. 

Flexor carpi radial is. 

Extensor carpi raclialis. 

36. Triceps. 

37. Scapular deltoid. 

38. Acromion deltoid. 

39. Mastoideus. 

40. Sterno-h void. 

41. 

42. 

Parotid Gland. 

Masseter Muscle. 

43. External Maxillary Vein. 

44. Zigomaticus. 

45. Zigomalicus labialis. 

into two unequal compartments by a muscular 

partition called the midriff or diaphragm. In 

the anterior or foremost cavity are the two 

lungs, and the heart and its blood-vessels ; in 

the larger or most posterior compartment is 

the stomach, intestines, liver, kidneys, etc. 

Without a considerable number of diagrams 

it is difficult to convey in a popular manner

some peculiarities of these internal organs. 

The cat's tongue (Fig. x.) is, however, very 

characteristic of the order, and is easily ob- 

served. It is supplied with the usual glands 

common to all mammals viz. tonsils (B), 

flattened soft papillae (c), four circumvallate 

papilla' (D), conical papillae (E), and the more 

THE CAT'S PLACE NATURE. 355 

Fid. VIII. SKELETON OE A CAT. 

complicated appearance as compared 

with the 

simpler livers of other animals. The gallbladder 

is present in the usual position. The 

cat's heart is somewhat small for the si/e of 

the animal, and is not so pointed at its apex 

as in other animals ; the veins entering the 

heart, and the branching of the arteries leaving 

A. CERVICAL OR NECK BONES (7 in number). B. DORSAL OR THORACIC BONES (13 in number, each bearing a rib). C. LUMBAR 

BONKS (7 in number). D. SACRAL BONES (3 in number). K. CAUDAL OR TAIL BONES (19 to 21 in number). 

i. Cranium, or Skull. 

2. Scapula, or Shoulder-blade. 

3. Clavicle, or Collar-bone. 

4. 

Humerus. 

5. Sternum, or Breast-bone. 

6. 

7. 

Phalanges of the Toes. 

Metac^rpal Bones. 

minute fungiform papillae (F). 

8. 

9. 

Carpal or Wrist-bones. 

Radius. 

10. Ulna, 

ii. Costal cartilages, uniting ends of Ribs 

to Sternum. 

12. Patella, or Knee-cap. 

13. Tibia. 

The peculiarity 

of the cat's tongue is that the conical papilhe 

are specialised into horny processes or hooks, 

as shown in E F, and are of value not only in 

assisting to clear the flesh from bones, but are 

of undoubted use in cleaning the animal's fur. 

The cat also has the parotid, sublingual, and 

other glands concerned in the preparation of 

the food for primary digestion. 

The cat's liver is mainly on its right side ; 

it is divided into several lobes, which give it a 

14. Tarsal Bones. 

15. 

16. 

17. 

Metatarsal Bones. 

Phalanges of Hind Toes. 

Heel-bone, or " Calcis." 

18. Fibula. 

19. 

20. 

Femur, or Thigh-bone. 

Pelvis, or Hip-bone. 

it, are nearly identical with those of closely 

allied animals. The time required for the 

complete circulation of the blood throughout 

the body of the cat is fourteen to sixteen 

seconds. The pulse, each beat of which corre- 

sponds to one contraction of the left ventricle 

of the heart, may easily be felt on the inner 

side of the fore-paw, about an inch above the 

prominence of the radius ; it may 

also be felt 

at the same place as the horse's pulse on the 

inner side of the lower jaw. There are two


other situations on the cat's body 

where it 

may be felt, but to find the exact point 

requires some intimate anatomical knowledge. 

The temperature, or normal heat, of the body 

of the cat is 100 F. ; it may, however, be 

slightly above or below this. 

The brain of the cat, following the general 

structure of the higher mammals, is divided 

into very similar areas or divisions. The 

larger or more anterior portion 

is called the 

cerebrum (Fig. I., A), and is divided into right 

and left hemispheres. Its surface is divided into 

convolutions or gyri (E) by certain shallow 

fissures, which have received specific names. 

Very intimately 

AT DAY-TIME. 

A. Contracted linear pupil. 

B. 

C. 

D. 

Iris. [nans). 

Nictitating membrane (Plica semilu- 

Opening of the Harclerian Gland Duct. 

attached to the under-surface 

of this part of the brain are the olfactory lobes 

(D), in which are situated certain nerves concerned 

in the sense of smell. The hinder and 

smaller part of the brain is called the cere- 

bellum (B), and is much darker in colour than 

the cerebrum. Its surface is made up of 

numerous small foldings of its substance, 

In all the higher mammals the eye can 

accommodate itself to the varying influence of 

light. This is mainly done by means of the 

central black part or pupil (Fig. ix., A). The 

pupil is merely a hole in the iris, or coloured 

part of the eyeball (B), and it is by its contraction 

or expansion that the exact amount of light 

necessary is admitted to act upon the sensitive 

retina at the back of the eye. The form of the 

pupil varies considerably in different animals. 

In the cat's eye during bright sunshine it is 

reduced to a thin vertical line ; at dusk it 

expands to a nearly 

FIG. IX. THE CAT'S EYE. 

AT NIGHT-TIME. 

A. Expanded and nearly circular pupil. 

B. Iris. 

C. Nictitating membrane. 

D. Opening of Harderian Duct. 

which, on section, look like the branches of 

a small tree ; these branches finally fuse and 

terminate on the under-side of the base of 

the brain. 

Intimately associated in a most complex 

manner with the cerebrum and cerebellum is 

the medulla oblongata (c), an enlarged part of 

the spinal cord. The brain of the cat, it may 

be remarked, is not nearly so highly organised 

as that of the dog. 

circular form. This ver- 

tical reduction is by no means common to the 

entire cat family. In very many species the 

C. C'at'seye, showing the third 

eyelid or nictitating membrane 

fully extended. 

pupil retains a rounded form even when contracted 

to its minimum. 

On the inner angle of the cat's eye there 

is a curious semi-transparent fold of skin, 

called by naturalists the plica semilunaris, or 

nictitating membrane. In reptiles and birds 

this is a very important factor in the preserva- 

tion of the eye from external injuries, and it 

acts also as a regulator of the admission of 

light. It is well developed in nocturnal 

reptiles and birds, and as the cat's ancestors 

were doubtless more nocturnal than they are 

now, it probably was in active use. It is, 

however, useless now, the cat having no control 

over it. It is one of many interesting vestigial 

structures the cat carries about with it of its 

former ancestry from a lower-organised animal.

THE DISTRIBUTION 7 OF THE CAT FAMILY. 

Long-continued and systematic study of the 

habits of living animals has led to the division 

of the surface of the world into specific, areas, 

called Zoogeographical regions, 

of which there are six viz. (i) 

PaUearctic region (2) Ethi- 

opian or African region ; (3) 

Oriental or Indian 

region 

; (4) 

(5) Xearctic 

Australian region ; 

or North American region ; and 

(6) Neotropical or South American 

region. The cats of the 

Old World and of the New World 

are, with the exception of the 

debatable northern lynx, specifically 

distinct. No native cats 

exist in Australia. 

The Palsearctic region com- 

prises the whole of Europe, part 

of North Africa, and extends 

eastward to Kamtchatka, and 

THE CAT'S PLACE IN NATURE. 357 

includes the islands of Japan. 

There are about twenty - one 

known species of the cat family 

inhabiting this extensive area, 

the best-known being the tiger, 

A.-Epiglottis 

which is found in Mongolia ; 

or upper cartilage 

of windpipe. 

B. Tonsil. 

C. Flattened or soft papilla;. 

D. Circumvallate papillae. 

E. Horny conical papilla?. 

E.I. The same enlarged. 

F. Fungiform papilla;. 

the common 

leopard, widely distributed in Southern Siberia ; 

the snow leopard, wild cats, the lynx, and many 

others. The Ethiopian or African region in- 

cludes the whole of the continent of Africa up 

to the tropic of Cancer, and the greater part of 

Arabia and Madagascar. About nine species 

23* 

are known to inhabit this region. The bestknown 

are the lion, leopard, serval, Egyptian 

cat, caracal lynx, and cheetah. The Oriental 

or Indian region includes a strip of southern 

X. SURFACE OK THE 

CAT'S TONGUE.' 

Persia, the whole of India, 

China, and the Malay peninsula, 

Borneo, and other islands of 

the East Indian Archipelago. 

There are about sixteen species 

inhabiting this region. The bestknown 

examples of the cat family 

here are the lion (inhabiting the 

southern portions of Persia), 

tiger, leopard, cheetah, clouded 

leopard, and a great variety of 

the smaller species. 

The Nearctic or North American 

region includes Greenland 

and the whole of the continent 

of North America down to 

Mexico City and Vera Cruz. 

Tllere ar6 Olll y S6Ven indigenous 

species of the cat family, the 

best-known being the puma, 

which also extends into the neo- 

tropical region, the northern 

and the bay lynx. 

The Neotropical or South American region 

extends from Vera Cruz in Central America, 

through the whole of South America to Patagonia. 

About thirteen well-marked species of 

the cat family inhabit this region. The betterknown 

species are the puma, jaguar, ocelot, 

margay, pampas cat, and the curious eeyra. 

ROBERT HOLDING.

35* 

THE DISEASES OF CATS, AND THEIR TREATMENT. 

ADMINISTRATION OF MEDICINE. 

GIVING MEDICINE. 

By HENRY GRAY, M.R.C.V.S. 

the treat- 

INment of 

the diseases 

of the 

cat, the correct 

method 

of administeringwhatevermedicaments 

are 

deemed ne- 

is a 

cessary 

most importantconsideration. 

To the 

uninitiated 

and timid the 

task is generally 

a difficult 

one, and may, in some cases, appear almost 

impossible ; but with a little practice, aided 

by courage and determination, the difficulties 

can nearly always be overcome. The administration 

of medicine, however, is seldom so 

easy in the case of the cat as in that of 

the dog. 

Some cats are so gentle that the mouth 

can easily be opened by means of the index 

finger and thumb of the left hand acting 

as a wedge between the jaws. The palm of 

the hand rests on the top of the head, while 

the finger and thumb gently but firmly press 

the cheeks at the angle of the jaws inwards, 

until they intervene between the finger and 

thumb of the operator and the posterior teeth 

of the patient. 

The jaws being thus kept open, and the 

head at the same time raised, the right hand 

of the operator drops the pill or powder at the 

back of the mouth between the tongue and 

palate. This having been accomplished, the 

right hand is passed under the lower jaw, so 

as to keep the head raised until the animal 

swallows, while the left hand is withdrawn 

from its previous position and the jaws allowed 

to close, thus facilitating the act of swallowing. 

For the administration of liquid medicine 

it is not necessary to open the mouth. The 

operator grasps the head with his left hand, 

and taking the spoon in his right he slowly 

and carefully drops the liquid between the 

teeth, or into the space between the cheek and 

teeth, at the angle of the mouth. For the cat, 

a coffee-spoon is preferable to a tea-spoon, and 

care must be taken that too much is not 

poured into the mouth at once. The dose 

should be administered drop by drop, and 

time allowed for swallowing. 

DISEASES OF THE STOMACH. 

Vomiting, though a symptom common to 

many diseases, may be quite natural in some 

instances, such as over-feeding or during the 

weaning period, when the mother-cat eats a 

lot of animal food and then brings it home 

and vomits it up for her young kittens to feed 

upon. 

The act consists of ejecting the contents 

of the stomach up through the gullet and then 

out of the mouth. 

The causes of vomition are various : Worms 

travelling from the bowel into the stomach, 

emetics, expectorants, poisons, foreign bodies 

(as hair, cork, pins, etc.) bad or altered ; 

food, 

blood-poisoning, distemper, gastritis, tumours, 

tuberculosis, jaundice, diseases of the kidneys, 

etc., may produce it. 

It may also occur from parasites in the 

ear, foreign bodies in the mouth, and as a 

symptom of brain disease, such as meningitis. 

Treatment. This depends upon the cause, 

which should be removed if possible. When 

due to foreign bodies or altered food, an emetic 

(especially the hypodermic injection of Vo to 

oV grain of apomorphine hydrochloride) would 

most likely remove the source of trouble. If 

the foreign body cannot be removed by simple 

means, an operation may be deemed necessary. 

If due to inflammation of the stomach, bismuth 

and aerated soda-water are of great value. 

Ice and cocaine or chloretone are occasionally 

useful when these have failed. Sometimes it 

is necessary to wash the stomach out with 

mild antiseptics. If of nervous origin, a hypodermic 

injection of TV to | grain of morphine, or

THE DISEASES OF CATS, AND THEIR TREATMENT. 359 

five-minim doses of tincture of opium or bromide 

of potassium, given by the mouth, may prove 

successful. When resulting from tumours or 

tuberculosis, humanity dictates that the lethal 

chamber should be called into requisition and 

the animal put out of its misery. Easily 

assimilable and non - irritating food only 

should be given for a few days. Aerated 

soda-water forms the best drinking fluid. 

Gastritis, or inflammation of the stomach, 

is sometimes called gastric fever, and when of 

a mild type, 

variable. It 

gastric catarrh. 

may be due to 

Its causes 

altered or 

are 

decomposed 

food, distemper, microbes of various 

kinds, large doses of emetics or aperients, 

mineral poisons, chills, absorption of dressing 

applied to the skin, or licking the same off. 

It is also caused by worms, especially the broadnecked 

tapeworm (Tcenia crassicollis), travelling 

into the stomach and setting up irritation. 

Again, diseases of the uterus, liver, kidneys, 

and other organs give rise to gastritis. 

It 

frequently rages as an epizootic, causing considerable 

mortality in some catteries, especially 

after cat shows. 

Symptoms. The disease is ushered in by 

sudden vomiting of the food, followed by the 

repeated rejection of ropy mucus, and then, 

if the case is severe, this is succeeded by a thin, 

clear, greenish yellow or bloody fluid ; saliva 

flows from the mouth, the thirst is great, 

especially for cold water, which is generally 

expelled almost as soon as taken ; there is 

a distressed appearance, restlessness, or a fre- 

quent shifting of the posture. As a rule, the 

animal prefers to lie on its belly full length, 

with its limbs resting on cold objects. 

Pressure on the region of the stomach 

causes moaning and sometimes vomiting. 

After the lapse of some time, when a fatal 

termination is advancing, the eyes appear 

sunken, the pupils become dilated, the expression 

is sad, the animal becomes cold and 

indifferent to his surroundings, the mouth 

gives off an offensive odour, and the coat is 

dull, open, and lustreless. The animal dies 

either in a comatose state or from sudden 

failure of the heart during a fit of vomiting. 

Treatment. If recognised early, an emetic 

is sometimes very useful in cutting short the 

complaint. No food or ordinary water should 

be allowed until twenty-four to forty-eight 

hours have elapsed since the last vomiting ; 

but a teaspoonful of Brand's essence of beef 

jelly and two to four teaspoonfuls of aerated 

water should be given every four hours. 

Bismuth subnitrate or carbonate in five-grain 

doses may be shaken on the tongue an hour 

before these two latter are administered. 

If this means of treatment should prove 

ineffectual after twenty-four hours, one may 

conclude that the disease is of a severe type, 

and in this case one to five minims of the 

liquid extract of opium in a little mucilage, or 

chloretone, to 2\ grains, should be given 

every three hours. Feeding by means of rectal 

suppositories, or injection of an ounce of milk 

containing a little common salt, may be 

attempted. Finally, if this fail, washing out 

the stomach with borax or boracic acid, or 

chinosol and warm water, and a hypodermic 

injection of bullock's or sheep's serum might 

be tried. In gastric inflammation due to infection 

the hypodermic injection of quinine 

hydrochloride or trichloride of iodine will sometimes 

answer when everything else has failed. 

Cocaine and orthoform have no advantage over 

opiates, especially the denarcotised preparations, 

in soothing the stomach. Ice in small 

pieces pushed down the throat sometimes 

answers in assuaging the thirst when the sodawater 

does not. In the chronic form, doses 

of to | grain of calomel or mercury with 

chalk given with bismuth three times a day 

are beneficial in many instances. 

Enteritis, or inflammation of the intestines 

or bowels, frequently co-exists with 

gastritis, and then the disease takes on the 

term of gastro-enteritis. The causes, like those 

of gastritis, are various. It may be. due to 

infection, bad food, drugs, foreign bodies, chills, 

distemper, intussusception or irritating enemas, 

etc. There also seems to be a special con- 

tagious type of this disease which frequently 

causes great mortality in catteries, especially 

with kittens. Generally the small intestine 

forms the seat of the disease, which may in 

rare cases, however, extend the whole length 

of the bowel, which is sometimes lined with a 

croupy or diphtheritic membrane. 

The symptoms are restlessness, great pain, 

frequent crying or moaning, offensive and 

profuse and frequent diarrhoea, the dejections 

varying in colour and consistence and frequently 

containing blood, and sometimes vomit- 

ing, especially when the stomach is implicated ; 

thirst is intense, food is refused, the animal is 

cold, haggard, and depressed ; its fur is dull, 

open, and lustreless, and becomes soiled, giving 

off an abominable odour. When the abdomen


is manipulated, the animal cries or moans from 

the pain caused. If the pupils are dilated and 

the expression has an anxious appearance, and 

emaciation is rapid, a fatal termination may 

be anticipated. 

The treatment varies according to the cause. 

If the case is seen in the early stage a tea- to a 

dessert-spoonful of castor-oil containing i to 2\ 

minims of liquid extract of opium may be 

given at once, to clear out any irritating 

material from the bowels and also to allay 

pain and irritation ; or morphine in TV to TV 

grain doses may be injected under the skin 

every four hours. Bismuth salicylate, 

in fivegrain 

doses, should be dropped on the tongue 

about the same time. Starch enemas containing 

liquid extract of opium may also be 

administered. Boiled milk containing bicarbonate 

of soda should be given in small and 

repeated quantities. 

Turpentine stupes frequently applied to the 

abdomen are recommended, but, where this is 

objected to, the floor of the abdomen may be 

painted with tincture of capsicum, or tincture 

of iodine, until soreness is produced, the hair 

being first clipped off. 

In those cases of epizootic nature, isolation 

is called for. The food and surroundings 

should be changed, and the catteries and 

utensils thoroughly cleansed and disinfected. 

In the chronic form a powder composed of 

bismuth salicylate 2 to 5 grains, and /3- 

naphthol i to 2 J- grains, should be shaken on 

the tongue three times a day. Milk and rice 

form the best diet. 

Diarrhoea, like vomiting, is not a disease 

of itself, but an expression of many different 

affections. It may be salutary or otherwise. 

It may be due to aperients, irritating or 

indigestible food, microbes, diseases of the 

bowels, kidneys, and liver. It frequently 

results from distemper or gastro-enteritis, 

tuberculosis, intestinal catarrh, and from licking 

applications put on the skin in the treatment 

of skin affections. Sour milk, tainted 

miik or fish, and chills will also induce it. In 

kittens improper food, especially during hot 

weather, 

The symptoms are a looseness of the de- 

is a common cause. 

jections from the bowels, which are passed 

several times a day. The stools vary in 

colour according to the food taken by the 

animal, or according to the severity of the 

cause ; they are generally of a very offensive 

odour, and may contain blood. 

Treatment. If the cause of the diarrhoea is 

due to irritating food, a dose of castor-oil will 

be beneficial. When due to catarrh of the 

bowels, the carbonate, subnitrate, or salicylate 

of bismuth, in five-grain doses, two or three 

times a day, is the most appropriate treatment. 

If it is associated with distemper or 

typhus, the bismuth salts mentioned above, or 

tannablin or tannigen, in 2\- to 5-grain doses, 

are suitable. For chronic diarrhoea, 2\ to 5 

grains of salicylate of bismuth, with i to 5 

grains of /3-naphthol, given three times a day on 

the food, is generally followed by recovery. 

Failing this, a mixture composed of dilute 

sulphuric acid, concentrated infusion of cloves, 

and concentrated infusion of haematoxylin 

should be tried. 

When the diarrhcea is due to irritation of 

the so-called large or posterior bowel, injections 

containing starch, 

should be used. 

laudanum, and tannic acid 

As long as the diarrhcea lasts, no meat or 

meat infusions should be given, but milk, ricepudding, 

bread and 

are suitable. 

milk, and such-like food 

, confounded 

Constipation is an impaction of faeces in 

the hind bowel, and is generally due to weak- 

ness of this portion of gut, or results from a 

cleanly animal having no place to evacuate 

its faeces in. Sometimes it is due to a ball of 

fur, and occasionally foreign bodies, such as 

cat's-meat skewers, being swallowed along with 

the meat by a greedy animal. When due to 

paralysis of the bowel, which is occasionally 

seen in young cats, the abdomen becomes 

distended by the faeces in the bowel. It also 

occurs as a symptom of spinal paralysis. The 

non-passage of fasces seen in cats when not 

well and not taking solid food must not be 

with constipation. 

The symptoms, as a rule, are the non- 

passage of fseces for some time, distension of 

the abdomen, and impaction of the bowel with 

fasces which can be felt by manipulating the 

abdomen. 

Treatment. A dose of castor-oil and an 

enema of soapy water or glycerine will generally 

put matters right. If these means do not 

succeed, massage or kneading of the bowels, 

by grasping the abdomen with the hand and 

alternately compressing and relaxing the grasp, 

will assist to stimulate the intestines to force 

on their contents. Of course, this only applies 

when impaction is due to soft material and 

not hard foreign bodies, which, in this latter

THE DISEASES OF CATS, AND THEIR TREATMENT. 

case, should be removed by the fingers or 

forceps. If any irritation of the mucous 

membrane, evidenced by frequent straining as 

if to pass faeces, remains after the bowels have 

been relieved, an enema of warm salad-oil, 

containing a few drops of liquid extract of 

opium, will allay it, and prevent straining. 

In case of the bowel remaining weakened or 

paralysed so as to bring about a recurrence of 

the constipation, pills containing TV grain of the 

alcoholic extract of nux vomica should be administered 

morning, noon, and night after food. 

WORMS, OR INTERNAL ANIMAL PARASITES. 

Cats, like all other animals, are liable to 

be infested with worms, which may not cause 

any disturbance, unless in great numbers or 

when another disease is in existence. 

The Common Round -worm is very prevalent 

in young kittens, generally when they are 

living on milk, upon which these worms thrive. 

Their natural residence in the cat is in the 

small intestine, but sometimes they wander 

from here into the stomach, and set up vomiting 

and occasionally convulsions. 

Treatment. The worms should be expelled 

and the animal fed on nutritious and stimulating 

food, such as raw fish, raw meat, and 

fresh birds. The milk, to which is added a 

pinch of salt, should be boiled. 

remedy 

The best 

to expel these worms is santonin 

given along with or followed by an aperient. 

The following is a convenient formula : 

Santonin 

Calomel 

i gram. 

This powder is to be dropped 

of the tongue of an adult cat after fasting 

twelve hours, every other morning, until four 

doses have been given. Half this quantity is 

suitable for a cat three or four months old, and 

a quarter for a kitten of a month to six weeks 

* 

on the back 

of age. 

The commonest Tapeworm of the cat is 

the Teenia elliptica vel felis, with which fifty 

per cent, or more are affected. It is caused 

by fleas, lice, and mange-mites which have at 

some time or another infested the cat. 

They do not seem to cause much harm, 

even when numbering hundreds. In one case 

that I encountered the cat was in the pink of 

condition, and yet I found 700 of these worms. 

It is a delicate tapeworm with joints re- 

sembling a cucumber in outline. The ripe 

joints, which are often of a reddish tint, fre- 

quently become detached, and pass with the 

faeces, on which they are seen. They are 

generally termed by fanciers maw-worms. 

Treatment. The worms should be expelled, 

and fleas, lice, or mange-mites destroyed, so as 

to prevent a recurrence of the trouble. 

Another tapeworm of the cat is the Teenia 

crassicollis, or broad-necked species. It is 

seen only in cats that kill and eat rats and 

mice, in the liver of which the larval form of 

this parasite resides. 

It is a- big, coarse tapeworm, measuring 

eighteen to thirty inches in length, and having 

no well-defined neck. 

Treatment. For the expulsion of tapeworms 

there are many remedies, the best of 

which are areca nut, kamala, oil of male fern, 

pomegranate, and kousso, but as the dose of 

these in the crude is generally too bulky for 

the cat, it is advisable to give either of them, 

with the exception of the male fern, in their 

alkaloidal form, as : 

Koussein 

Kamalin 

Arecoline 

Pelletierine 

tO 2 

to 2 

to 

to 

grams. 

Any one of these may be given either in 

pill or tabloid form, or rubbed up with milk 

sugar, as a powder on an empty stomach after 

the animal has fasted at least twelve hours, and 

repeated every third or fourth morning. A 

dose of castor-oil or jalap should be given 

an hour after. The oil of male-fern is best 

administered in a capsule. Powdered pumpkin 

seed may be sprinkled on the food, 

DISEASES OF THE KIDNEYS. 

Diseases of the kidneys, such as degeneration, 

fatty degeneration, parasitic disease, 

tuberculosis, cancer, acute and chronic Bright's 

disease, and calculi are not rare, but, as 

the space at our command is limited, we 

only 

mention them. 

Incontinence, or the involuntary passage 

of urine, is usually due to weakness of the 

bladder, brought about by over-distension. 

It sometimes results from injury to the spine 

and calculi. 

The treatment that is best suited for this is 

the administration of TV grain of the alcoholic 

extract of nux vomica and 1 grain of quinine 

in a pill three times a day. If there be 

irritability of the bladder, soda bicarbonate 

2 grains and extract of henbane -J grain in a 

pill should be given.

362 

Retention of urine is generally caused by 

a calculus or chalky material blocking up the 

urethra or canal leading from the bladder, and 

preventing the exit of the fluid. If relief 

is not given to the bladder that is, if the 

obstruction is not immediately removed the 

urine decomposes and then sets up inflamma- 

tion of the bladder, and death takes place 

from unemic poisoning. 

Symptoms. The cat seems in pain, and 

makes ineffectual attempts to pass its urine ; 

it strains to no purpose ; it seems restless, 

getting up, lying down, rolling on its side, 

swishing its tail, looking towards its side, and 

crying. After a time the animal becomes 

drowsy and indifferent. If the abdomen is 

manipulated, the bladder will be felt to be 

distended, hard, and painful. 

Treatment. The only rational treatment is 

to remove the obstruction and pass the catheter 

immediately, a special silver catheter, half the 

size of the smallest human catheter, being re- 

quired for this purpose. If the urine is bloody, 

it may be necessary to wash out the bladder 

with a warm solution of boracic acid and 

alkalis and sedatives, but no meat or meat 

extracts should be given. 

DISEASES OF AIR PASSAGES AND LUNGS. 

A Common Cold, or coryza, or acute nasal 

catarrh, or cold in the head, is caused by 

exposing the cat to the inclement weather, or 

washing it and not thoroughly drying afterwards. 

It may also be due to the irritating 

vapours of chloroform or ether used by 

inhalation to produce anaesthesia. Letting a 

cat out in the cold and wet after it has been 

used to a warm, dry dwelling sometimes results 

in a cold. It is not contagious, but is fre- 

quently mistaken for distemper. 

Symptoms. There is frequent sneezing, and 

sometimes a cough ; a clear watery discharge 

trickles from the corner of the eyelids and 

nostrils. After a time this discharge becomes 

gluey, thick, and yellowish or greenish the 

; 

eyelids become partially closed, and the haw 

food 

protrudes over the front of the eyeball ; 

is refused, or sparingly eaten ; 

and open 

the fur is dull 

; warm 

or dark corners are sought 

for the animal trembles and seems miserable. 

; 

If the throat is sore, there is a cough; the 

breathing is wheezy, and a discharge may 

issue from the angles of the mouth. These 

symptoms generally pass away in a few days. 

Treatment. Where many cats are kept, an 


animal suffering from " a cold " should be 

isolated from the rest as soon as possible, as 

it is difficult to distinguish a simple case 

of " catarrh " from the early stage of a case of 

distemper. A warm place, well ventilated, but 

free from draughts, is essential. 

Raw meat, scraped and given three times 

a day, is the best diet. Fish, milk, bread-and- 

milk, or rice-pudding should be offered. 

A small pilule of half a grain of quinine 

sulphate should be dropped at the back of 

the mouth three times a day. The nostrils 

and eyelids should be sponged with a warm 

solution of boric acid, containing eight grains 

to the ounce of water, and afterwards smeared 

with a little white vaseline three times a day. 

Sanitas or turpentine should be sprinkled on 

the floor of the room. Great relief is often 

given by inhaling the fumes of eucalyptus oil 

dropped into a jug of boiling water. 

Chronic Nasal Catarrh, sometimes called 

"feline glanders," differs from the preceding 

complaint, inasmuch as it runs a longer and 

more persistent course ; 

it may, however, follow 

on simple catarrh which has been neglected. 

Distemper is one of the commonest causes of 

it, but it is also seen after diphtheria. It may 

occur as a symptom of tuberculosis, foreign 

bodies in the nasal channels, malignant growths, 

such as sarcoma or cancer attacking the turbinated 

bones, diseased bone, or teeth, etc. 

When neglected, it may last for months or 

even years, and is frequently incurable. 

Symptoms. There is a persistent gluey, 

odourless, or sometimes foetid discharge either 

of a gelatinous or yellowish appearance, with 

or without streaks of blood from the nostrils, 

the outsides of which are sometimes ulcerated. 

The throat may be swollen the ; appetite and 

general condition of the animal are often preserved. 

Sometimes there is an abscess in the 

inner corner of the eye. 

Treatment. In those cases that are due to 

malignant tumours or tuberculosis, and, in 

consequence, incurable, merciful destruction of 

the animal is called for. If due to foreign 

bodies as fish-bones, pieces of grass, or food, 

or to diseased teeth they should be removed. 

Syringing the nostrils, so as to wash the 

diseased lining membrane of the nasal channels, 

with some mild antiseptic is the only means to 

insure success. The mode of procedure is this : 

A skilled assistant must firmly secure the 

animal between his hands that is, he holds 

the limbs firmly then the operator grasps the


head with his left hand, taking care to keep 

the mouth shut by means of the thumb and 

index finger, and steadies it on the table ; and 

with the right hand he carefully and gently 

passes the pipe of the syringe up one of the 

.30 

nasal channels and then presses out the fluid. 

\Yhen this is finished, the other nostril is 

served the same. 

The following is a suitable formula for the 

solution to be : 

injected 

Alum . . . . 

grains. 

Boric Acid .... 2 drachms. 

2 

Liquid Extract of . Hydrastis 

Warm Water . . . pint. 

This should be used every other day until 

some benefit is derived from it. If the disease 

is not amenable after a fortnight's adoption of 

this treatment, the following should be substituted 

: 

Tincture of Iodine . (B. P.) 10 minims. 

Glycerine .... 6 ounces. 

Warm Water . . . I ounce. 

Pills of iron, quinine, arsenic, and such-like, 

as well as plenty of flesh food along with 

cod-liver oil, should be given. Fresh air is 

invigorating, and a change to the seaside sometimes 

does miracles. 

about the cat's box is 

Eucalyptus sprinkled 

useful, because it acts 

not only as an antiseptic, but as a stimulant 

to the mucous membrane of the nostrils. 

Bronchitis, or inflammation of the bron- 

chial or air tubes, may occur as a sequel 

to catarrh or during its course, and may also 

accompany distemper. It is also due to small 

worms in the tubes ; washing followed by ex- 

posure to draughts ; medicine, especially light 

powders, going down the windpipe, etc. It is 

frequently due to tuberculosis. 

Symptoms. There is a frequent cough, the 

breathing is wheezy, and sometimes quickened 

or difficult. The desire for warmth is great ; 

there is shivering, ana perhaps a discharge 

from the eyes and nose. On listening to the 

chest by means of the stethoscope, wheezing 

or hissing or bubbling sounds will be heard. 

Treatment, The animal should be kept in 

a constant temperature of 60 F., and have 

warm milk and beef administered to it. The 

throat and sides should be rubbed with oil of 

mustard. Inhalations of steam are useful 

when expectoration seems difficult. Kermes 

mineral (two grains) and powdered squill (one 

grain) should be given. 

Pneumonia, or inflammation of the substance 

of the lungs, may be due to various 

causes, such as exposure to cold, chills after 

washing, medicines passing down the windpipe, 

foreign bodies, blood-poisoning, small 

worms, and principally distemper or tuberculosis. 

It may be associated with pleuris} 

or bronchitis, and is then termed pleuro-pneumonia 

or broncho-pneumonia respectively ; 

and also sometimes with a purulent collection 

or tuberculosis, and then it receives the names 

septic pneumonia or tubercular pneumonia, or 

phthisis. 

Symptoms. At first there is intense shiver- 

ing, a greatrdesire for warmth, loss of appetite, 

dull appearance, dull cough, sickness, difficulty 

of breathing, which after some days becomes 

laboured or panting. On auscultation of the 

chest the characteristic sounds may be heard. 

At first fine crepitations, then a day or two 

after the tubular or blowing sounds, and when 

convalescence sets in the fine crackling or 

crepitating sounds are heard again. The 

cough becomes more frequent and the appetite 

increases. On the other hand, if there be 

no improvement, the coat becomes dull and 

open, the eyes sunken, and the pupils dilated ; 

the flanks move up and down like a pumphandle, 

and the breath becomes foetid ; food 

is totally refused, and diarrhoea sets in, a fatal 

termination is to be anticipated. 

Treatment. The animal should be kept in 

a temperature of 60 F., and fresh air, but no 

draughts, allowed. The sides are to be rubbed 

with oil of mustard, or painted with tincture 

of iodine, or an ointment composed of one part 

of tartar emetic to eight of lard. Quinine 

sulphate, | grain ; alcoholic extract of nux 

vomica, yV grain and extract of ; digitalis, 

i grain, in a pill, may be administered every 

four hours, and nourishing food given. In the 

case of tubercular pneumonia, which is generally 

chronic, the animal should be destroyed. 

Pleurisy, or inflammation of the covering of 

the lungs or internal lining of the chest cavity, 

in the cat as well as in the dog, is chiefly due 

to tuberculosis. It may, however, result from 

pneumonia, abscess in the lung, cancer, parasites, 

injuries, foreign bodies, gunshot wounds, 

cold, etc. It is generally accompanied with a 

dirty sanious, or clear amber-tinted, or port- 

wine - coloured fluid, sometimes containing 

in it 

yellowish-white strings of lymph floating 

in the chest cavity. One or both sides may 

be affected. It is usually fatal. 

Symptoms. The cat has an anxious, painful 

facial expression, and moans, or rather grunts,


and sometimes attempts 

to bite when the chest 

is touched or made to move the abdomen is 

; 

retracted, and the breathing, which is short 

and jerky, seems to be performed by the flanks. 

There is a slight or suppressed cough, but this 

is often absent. The animal wastes away, the 

coat becomes dull and open and lustreless, and 

the hairs are easily pulled out. The creature 

hides under the furniture and refuses its food, 

and when a fatal termination is at hand, 

the flanks move up and down like a pumphandle, 

the breathing becomes difficult and 

suffocative, the mouth, which is offensive, 

being opened at every inspiratory and ex- 

the tongue becomes purplish, 

piratory effort ; 

the elbows turn out, the cat assumes a squatting 

position on all-fours, and a foetid diarrhoea 

sets in. 

Treatment. Although generally fatal, treatment 

may be desired to be attempted. The 

chest should be painted with tincture of iodine 

or oil of mustard if there be much ; pain, a 

hypodermic injection of morphine will prove 

useful, and a pill composed of {- grain powdered 

digitalis leaves, -J- grain sulphate of 

quinine, and i grain of iodide of potassium, 

administered three times a day. When the 

breathing becomes difficult in consequence of 

the accumulation of fluid in the chest cavity, 

it may be deemed advisable to draw the fluid 

off by means of a trocar. Nourishing liquid 

food, such as milk, Mosquera's beef jelly, or 

eggs, should be given, 

little and often. 

DISTEMPER. 

Distemper is a contagious, inoculable fever, 

due to a specific microbe (the cocco-bacillus, 

or pasteurella of Lignieres), and is similar, if 

not identical, to that causing distemper in 

the dog. Krajewsky, Laosson, Lignieres, and 

others have experimentally demonstrated its. 

identity, but I have never observed the cat 

nor vice 

naturally giving the dog distemper, 

versa, and I believe this is the experience of 

most veterinary surgeons in this country. 

The microbe of distemper which belongs 

to the same class of micro-organisms, the 

pasteurella, that causes influenza in the horse, 

fowl cholera, swine-fever, guineapig dis- 

temper, etc. is generally found in the blood, 

which it alters to such a degree as to make so 

profound an impression on the system as to 

diminish its natural resistance to the ordinary 

germs, which become, in consequence, increased 

in virulence, and cause the various phenomena 

by which we know the disease. It is difficult 

to detect in the body after about a week. 

The disease varies in severity according to 

the degree of virulence of the microbe. If 

this is very virulent, it causes a very acute or 

septic disease, as is observed in the typhus or 

gastro-enteric outbreak, which kills off a large 

number of animals within a few days or even 

hours. If it is of a milder strength, we get 

the subacute form with localisations, such as 

we usually see in distemper. There is also a 

chronic form, which lasts a long time, and 

which tries the patience of the owner as well 

as the vitality of the sufferer. Finally, a 

chronic wasting or cachectic form is sometimes 

observed it resembles the ; " " 

going light in 

birds and other animals, and may be mistaken 

for starvation, which it simulates very 

much. 

The microbe may exist in a healthy cat's 

body for weeks without causing it any disturbance 

until, perhaps, the animal catches 

cold, or is depressed in some other manner. 

However, an apparently healthy animal with 

this microbe in it may be infective for othei" 

cats. 

Period of Incubation. This varies according 

to the degree of virulency of the microbe and 

the state of the cat's system and the surroundings 

in which it is kept. A very virulent 

infection has a much shorter period of incubation 

than a mild infection. Whereas the 

former may cause distemper in from two to five 

days, the latter takes from one to three weeks. 

It seems doubtful whether the specific microbe 

causes the symptoms we usually see in dis- 

temper, or if these are due to a secondary 

infection resulting from the invasion of the 

normal microbes of the body, which have 

become virulent, and prey upon their hosts. 

Duration of the Disease. This, like the 

period of incubation, varies also according to 

the degree of virulence of the virus. A very 

virulent virus kills in a few days or even hours, 

or the animal recovers very quickly. It is 

not so with a virus of a milder degree of virulence, 

which may cause symptoms that take 

from one to five or six weeks to disappear, 

if the animal recover. In other cases the 

disease shows itself in so mild a form that it 

appears like an ordinary catarrh, and recovery 

is established within a few days. 

In a few instances death takes place suddenly 

before any premonitory symptoms have 

had time to develop.


The principal sources of propagation of the 

infection are cat shows, catteries (especially 

those belonging to people who exhibit), homes 

for lost and stray cats, and institutions that 

take in these animals as boarders. The cat 

dealer's shop is not free from blame many 

newly purchased kittens develop distemper a 

few days after purchase, contracted, no doubt, 

at the dealer's. Many cases have been traced 

to the cattery where the female has been sent 

to stud. Hampers, cages, and persons coming 

from infected catteries are so many media of 

contagion. Even if a cat has apparently recovered 

from the disease, it may still give off 

infection and contaminate other cats for a 

variable but uncertain period. 

Although the disease may be seen at all 

times of the year, it is most prevalent during 

spring and autumn, if especially the weather 

is changeable and wet. 

Moisture of the atmosphere favours the 

increase of distemper. Wet, following very 

dry weather, continuous dampness and rain, 

all predispose an animal to the disease. Where 

catteries or homes for lost and strays are con- 

tinuously being washed out and not properly 

dried, especially in damp weather, before the 

cats are allowed into the rooms, distemper is 

very prevalent. 

Where too many cats are crowded into a 

given space, especially if the place is badly 

lighted and not very well ventilated, this is 

favourable for the contamination of the inmates. 

The mortality varies according to the breed 

of the animal, its surroundings, and the degree 

of virulence of the infection. Seasons and 

periods have also some bearing on it. Common- 

bred cats allowed to roam out in the open at 

their will are more likely to recover from the 

disease, but if confined to cages or in catteries, 

or in the house, the mortality is quite twentyfive 

per cent. The long-haired cats are less re- 

sistant against it, and as many as fifty percent, 

die. In the Siamese breed of cats, the fatality 

is as high as ninety out of every hundred. The 

younger the animals, the greater the deathrate 

; yet, on the other hand, if old animals 

are very fat or anaemic from want of fresh air 

and exercise, the mortality is just as high. 

Many cats are resistant at one time against 

the infection, others have it in a mild form, and 

yet others have it severely ; but this does not 

always prevent them from having it again at 

some future period. My experience is that a 

cat may frequently have a recurrence of distemper 

at least two or three times, and then 

succumb to it. 

One season it may appear as a contagious 

catarrh, another season as an infectious sore 

throat, and at other times as a bronchitis or 

pneumonia, and, lastly, as a contagious gastritis 

or gastro-enteritis. Frequently all these 

forms may co-exist in a single outbreak, and 

often a single animal exhibits the whole of 

these manifestations. For the convenience of 

of this multiform 

descriptiorrf)f-the symptoms 

malady we divide it into five principal forms, 

as follow : 

1. The Catarrhal, attacking chiefly the 

and nostrils. 

eyes 

2. The Pharyngeal or Tonsillar, affecting 

the region of the throat. 

or Chest form. 

3. The Pulmonary 

4. The Abdominal or G'-astro-enteric. 

5. The Cachectic or Wasting. 

The Catarrhal form of distemper is that 

which is generally seen in the cat, and is the 

least fatal of any. The first symptoms noticed 

are a watery discharge from one and sometimes 

both eyes, the lids of which may be 

partially or completely closed, so as to hide 

the front of the eye, and a frequent licking of 

the upper lip and nose as if they were parched 

and burning. After a day or so the inner 

lining of the eyelids may be very much reddened, 

swollen, and giving rise to a yellowwhite 

or greenish-white thick discharge, which 

adheres to the lids and seals them together. 

There may also be shivering fits, a dull open 

coat, and a great desire for warmth (this being 

so intense in some cases that the animal fre- 

quently gets under the grate when a fire is in 

it). There is sneezing, followed by a snuffling 

kind of breathing ; the nostrils discharge a 

thick, ropy, whitish or greenish matter, which 

clings to their openings, and very often closes 

them up. When the pharynx or larynx is the 

seat of catarrh there are frequent fits of coughing. 

The appetite is diminished or absent, but 

thirst is, as a rule, great. There may also be 

seen at times vomiting, diarrhoea, or constipation. 

rapid 

Emaciation 

and great, 

is gradual and slight, or 

varying according to the 

severity of the symptoms. 

The breathing is not much altered in the 

majority of cases, but in a few instances it 

becomes frequent. The temperature rises 

a few degrees, but this is variable, and it is 

sometimes normal. The body and limbs feel


cold to the touch, and sometimes give off an 

offensive odour. The tongue, lips, hard and 

soft palates, and gums (especially around the 

teeth) are occasionally ulcerated. Now and 

again the eyes become the seat of ulceration, 

which on rare occasions becomes perforated ; at 

other times they become affected with a severe 

inflammation, which extends to the whole eyeball 

and destroys this organ. There is at 

times dulness or drowsiness, and the animal 

seeks dark corners or gets under the furniture. 

Many cats from sheer in strange 

nervousness, 

places, avoid the fire 

especially 

and seek 

obscure or lofty positions. Recovery generally 

takes place within a fortnight or three weeks, 

but death may take place within twenty-four 

to forty-eight hours from the commencement 

of the attack. 

The Pharyngeal, Tonsillar, or Throat form 

is the most deadly manifestation of distemper. 

The first symptom to attract attention is 

the drivelling of clear, ropy albuminous 

saliva from the corners of the mouth. The 

animal crouches upon all four of its limbs ; 

there is a frequent gulping movement, 

and a sound is emitted from the throat as 

if there was an attempt to swallow the thick 

ropy saliva which clings 

about the mouth and 

pharynx ; the swallowing seems difficult or 

impossible ; food is refused, but thirst is 

constant, although the animal seems incapable 

of swallowing ; there is a great dulness or 

depression, and the cat appears indifferent to 

its surroundings. 

On examination of the outside of the throat 

it is found swollen and painful, the glands are 

enlarged, and there appears to be a gurgling 

noise at each inspiration and expiration. On 

inspection of the mouth and back of the throat, 

the tongue and pharynx are found to be . 

covered with a thick, ropy, bubbling saliva, 

the mucous membrane is swollen and congested, 

and the soft palate is of a pinkish or 

even dark reddish arborescent appearance, due 

to the congested state of the small bloodvessels. 

Sometimes ulcers appear on the hard 

and soft palates. After a day or so the depression 

increases, there is a discharge from 

the eyes and nostrils, which appears at first 

as a clear viscid fluid, and afterwards becomes 

yellowish or dirty green in colour, and, 

if the 

animal lives long enough, ultimately bloody, 

in consequence of it irritating the mucous 

membranes and surrounding skin of the eyes 

and nose. There may also be a catarrhal or 

purulent foetid discharge from one or both 

ears, but this is quite exceptional, and is 

mostly seen in cases having a fatal termination. 

If the prostration is very great, and there is 

rapid loss of weight and condition, and the 

discharge from the mouth, nostrils, and eyesbecomes 

foetid, coupled with total loss of 

appetite, and no abatement of the other 

symptoms, a fatal termination is to be anticipated. 

Late in the complaint the pharyngeal 

mucus may become of a dirty colour or 

sanious ; purple spots appear on the tongue, 

gums, and lips, and there is a moan or cry 

emitted at each respiratory effort convulsive 

; 

movements of the muscles of the temples, 

shoulders, and thighs set in, and death takes 

place from intoxication. 

rises at first, but when a 

The 

fatal 

temperature 

termination 

is to be anticipated it falls below the normal. 

The Pulmonary or Chest form, although not 

so frequently seen in the cat as in the dog, may 

appear from the outset as a distinct localisation, 

or follow or intervene during an attack 

of the other forms as a complication. It may 

or may not be ushered in by shivering fits ; 

the coat becomes dull and open, there is 

sneezing or coughing, or both tears run from 

; 

the eyes, and mucus issues from the nostrils, 

and there is a great desire for warmth. The 

temperature is elevated, and varies from 102.5 

to 106, but rarely running a typical course. 

The cough, when present, is frequent and 

rattling or harsh, and sometimes dull. On 

listening to the chest wheezing, rattling, or 

blowing, or rubbing, or splashing sounds may 

be heard. Emaciation is either gradual or 

rapid, thirst is generally great, but the appetite 

is diminished or absent. 

The breathing is either quickened or the 

inspiratory and expiratory efforts may be 

prolonged and accompanied or not with a 

moan or grunt, which is sometimes associated 

with fluid in the chest cavity, which is known 

by the pumping or lifting action of the flanks, 

this effusion in one or both of the pleural sacs 

or amber- 

being either of a clear greenish 

tinted or bloody or dirty yellowish appearance, 

and sometimes of a foetid odour. Besides 

pleurisy, which is only occasionally encountered, 

there may be pneumonia, bronchopneumonia, 

or bronchitis, according to the 

structure of lung involved in this form of 

distemper. (For a description of these localisations 

or complications, sec under their 

respective headings.)


The lesions of the lungs may be slight, and 

yet the symptoms may be severe ; on the 

contrary, the lesions may be extensive, and 

the resulting symptoms comparatively slight. 

If the fever remains high, the appetite abol- 

ished, the pupils dilated, the breathing plaintive 

and very rapid, and prostration great, death 

soon takes place from failure of the heart due 

to intoxication. In many cases, though, the 

fever is not intense, and yet death supervenes. 

The Abdominal, Gastric, or Gastro-enteric 

form of distemper is oftener seen than either 

the pharyngeal or pulmonary form, and may 

occur as a very acute and rapidly fatal 

manifestation, or as a chronic disease. It 

frequently accompanies the other forms. In 

acute cases there is sudden vomiting of food, 

quickly followed by a frequently repeated 

ejection of thick, slimy, and frothy mucus, 

and ultimately by a thin, watery, serous fluid, 

which is of an olive-green or yellowish appearance. 

The thirst is intense, and no sooner is 

water sipped than it is expelled. There is fre- 

quent diarrhoea ; the stools at first seem fluid, 

then become watery, sometimes bloody, and 

very foetid. The appetite is suppressed, and 

the animal becomes cold and indifferent to its 

surroundings, the facial expression is pinched, 

the eyes are semi-closed ; the coat is dull and 

open, and on pressure over the region of the 

stomach pain is evinced by a moan or cry, 

and death usually takes place in a few hours. 

There is not as a rule any discharge from the 

eyes and nostrils. 

In the subacute cases, beyond a slight 

catarrhal discharge from the eyes and nostrils, 

there may be either vomiting or diarrhoea 

often both and at other instances vomiting 

and constipation. When the bowels are the 

principal seat of the disease, vomiting is rare, 

but diarrhoea is generally persistent. Thirst 

is great, and food is refused or taken sparingly. 

The animal is dull, cries if moved or if the 

abdomen is manipulated ; emaciation is rapid, 

and the animal dies in a state of exhaustion. 

In the chronic cases there may or may not 

be any catarrhal symptoms, but there is a 

chronic and persistent diarrhoea, and sometimes 

vomiting. The appetite is capricious 

or sometimes ravenous, thirst moderate, and 

emaciation gradual, and liquid faeces may be 

expelled on the least effort, as by coughing ; 

the fur or pelage around the tail becomes 

soiled, and, in consequence, the animal gives 

off an offensive odour. 

In some instances the breath becomes 

foetid ; the teeth, gums, tongue, and lips are 

covered with a dirty brown or greenish slimy 

material and ; frequently the gum around the 

neck of the teeth is spongy, and bleeds on the 

slightest touch. Occasionally the bone into 

which the teeth are inserted becomes exposed, 

ulcerated, or necrosed. Ulcers are at times 

seen on the lips and tongue. 

The Chronic Cachectic or Wasting form is 

sometimes encountered as a chronic wasting 

malady, not showing many symptoms beyond 

gradual emaciation, great weakness, intense 

thirst, ravenous or capricious appetite, and 

occasionally diarrhoea. At other times the 

animal goes off its appetite, sits about in a 

mopish manner, has a staring and dull coat, 

the mucous membranes are pallid, the haw protruding 

over the front of the inner portion of 

the eyeballs, and becomes light in weight. 

It very occasionally happens in these 

wasting cases that the skin becomes the seat 

of parasitic mange, and, in consequence, gives 

off an offensive mousy or mouldy odour. If 

treatment is not skilfully and early adopted, 

death takes place, and on post-mortem examination 

the remains simulate those of an 

animal having died from starvation. It may 

follow on the other forms of manifestation. 

Skin eruptions are rarely noticed in distemper 

of the cat, but sometimes one sees on 

kittens a scabby eruption resembling ecthyma, 

the discharge of which mats the hairs in these 

young creatures. Female cats, when pregnant, 

frequently abort in fact, nearly every cat in 

this condition in a cattery affected with distemper 

will miscarry, making it appear as if 

it were a special contagious disease. 

The ears occasionally become the 

acute catarrh or ulceration, and give 

seat 

rise 

of 

to 

an offensive discharge. This complication is 

mostly associated with the pharyngeal form. 

The cornea of the eye is sometimes the 

seat of ulceration, which generally disappears 

as the animal recovers. The whole eyeball 

occasionally partakes of inflammation, which 

destroys it. 

When the eyes of young kittens become the 

seat of catarrh, the eye is generally destroyed, 

and consequently the sight is lost. The 

nervous type, showing itself as excitement, 

convulsions, chorea, meningitis, or paralysis, 

although seen, is somewhat rare in this 

creature. 

Death may occur either suddenly from


convulsions, or rapidly from intoxication, or 

slowly from exhaustion. 

When due to intoxication, clonic, convulsive, 

or twitching movements of the muscles 

of the temples, shoulders, and hind limbs 

precede, and are even seen shortly after, 

death. Frequently death takes place without 

any symptoms of the disease having been 

noticed. In this case it appears to be due to 

the rapidity of the formation of the toxin or 

poison of the microbe, which causes intense 

shock to the system. 

Diagnosis. In many instances this disease 

is mistaken for a simple catarrh, diarrhoea, or 

sore throat a mistake unfortunate where other 

cats are concerned. It is true that the first 

stage of distemper frequently resembles either 

of these simple complaints, which are not con- 

tagious, and generally only 

affect one out of 

several animals kept together, and run their 

course in a few days ; whereas in distemper the 

disease usually runs a prolonged course, is verj' 

prostrating, and in many instances fatal, and, 

beyond all, contagious. On the other hand, it 

may resemble diphtheria, which is contagious, 

but has false membranes on the soft palate, 

pharynx, larynx, and tonsils, which are absent 

in distemper. 

Prognosis. Distemper is a most treacherous 

disease, and one of which even an expert 

cannot foretell the result. Many instances 

occur in which an animal appears to be on 

the right road towards recovery, when a 

relapse suddenly sets in and carries off the 

poor creature. If the appetite is moderate, 

the emaciation not rapid or great, the diarrhoea 

not intense or too frequent, and no complications 

set in after the end of the first week, 

recovery may be anticipated. On the other 

hand, if the weakness be progressive and 

prolonged, emaciation rapid and great, an 

offensive odour is given off from the body, 

eyes sunken in their orbits, pupils dilated, 

and the facial expression is haggard, death is 

to be expected. Again, relapses (which are 

commonly encountered), early youth, obesity, 

complications, the breed of the animal (such 

as Siamese and long-haired varieties, especially 

light-coloured animals), are generally unfavourable 

towards a certain recovery. 

Chronic nasal catarrh, chronic pneumonia 

or phthisis, and persistent diarrhoea may also 

give trouble after the distemper has run its 

ordinary course, and will have to be reckoned 

with. 

Treatment. An old maxim is, 

" Prevention 

is better than cure," and ought to be carried 

out as far as possible by isolating all those 

animals that have been in contact with the 

infection. 

Animals coming from homes for lost and 

stray cats, cat shows, dealers in cats, should 

be kept apart from those in the cattery for at 

least a fortnight, to see if they develop the 

complaint. The place of isolation should have 

no communicatioa with the building or house 

in which the majority of healthy cats are 

kept. The baskets, cages, clothing, etc., 

should be thoroughly 'Washed and disinfected 

before they are used again for sound cats. It 

ought not to be forgotten that persons who 

have been in contact with sick animals may 

carry the infection on their hands or clothes. 

When distemper has declared itself in a 

cattery and the inmates have recovered, the 

place should be thoroughly scrubbed, disinfected, 

and afterwards lime-washed or repainted. 

Boiling water and soda, used with 

the aid of a scrubbing-brush, is much more 

reliable to remove infection than many of the 

so-called disinfectants, which frequently do 

not destroy the virus, but often injure the 

cats. After the habitation has been scrupulously 

cleansed, it may be well to disinfect it 

with chlorinated lime (i Ib. to the gallon of 

cold water), which should be brushed all over 

the floor, walls, partitions, etc. Baskets, 

hampers, etc., should be served likewise. 

Metal and earthenware utensils may be boiled 

in strong soda-water. 

Before any cats are again put into the 

place, the doors and windows should be opened 

for at least a week, and fresh air and daylight 

admitted, as they are the best destructors of 

micro-organisms. 

Where valuable cats are kept and the risk 

of distemper is great, it would be advisable 

for the owner to have the cats immunised, or 

rendered proof against the disease, by means 

of the Pasteurian system of vaccination with 

the attenuated microbe of distemper, as introduced 

into practice by Professor Lignieres and 

Dr. Phisalix. Several degrees of strength of 

the vaccine are used. The animal is at first 

vaccinated or inoculated with a mild degree 

of virus, and afterwards with vaccine of 

gradually increased virulence, so that the 

most virulent virus (which would quickly kill, 

or cause the disease in a severe form in 

an animal not previously inoculated with the


milder vaccines) would not produce any disturbance 

in the vaccinated creature. 

Medical or Curative Treatment. The sick 

animal should be kept in a well-lighted and 

well-ventilated but not draughty room, which 

ought to be dry, and kept at a temperature of 

about 60. The floor should be covered with 

a thick layer of fresh pine sawdust, heaps of 

which should be placed in tins, boxes, or old 

coal-scuttles for the convenience of the animals. 

If the cat is seen in the first stage of the 

disease, an emetic of } to grain of tartar 

emetic in a teaspoonful of warm water may 

be given to clear out the stomach and bronchial 

tubes. In place of this drug, - 3V to ^V grain 

of hydrochloride of apomorphine in tabloid 

iorm may be injected under the skin. After 

the emetic has passed off, easily digested and 

nourishing food, such as milk, should be 

offered, and, if refused, forced upon the 

animal. When the appetite is fairly good, 

to J grain of calomel may be given twice a 

day, but must be stopped as soon as it causes 

vomiting or intense diarrhoea. 

When the appetite is bad, quinine sulphate 

(t- grain) given three times a day for a lengthened 

period may be useful in remedying it. 

The eyes and nostrils should be bathed 

three times a day with the following lotion : 

Chinosol . . . 3i grains, 

Rose-water ... .8 ounces ; 

and then smeared with an ointment composed 

of 

Boracic Acid . 

Cold Cream . 

. drachm, 

4 drachms. 

When the throat is very much inflamed, it 

should be painted on the outside, after all 

the hair is clipped off from ear to ear, with 

tincture of iodine or the setherial tincture of 

capsicum, three times a day, 

until soreness is 

produced. As it is a difficult job to paint the 

inside of the cat's throat, the following powder 

will act in a similar 

dropped on the tongue 

manner : 

Quinine sulphate : . . grain. 

Borax . . . . 2^ grains. 

To be given morning, noon, and night. 

If there is either pleurisy or pneumonia, or 

both combined, the hair should be cut off 

over the ribs, and the skin painted with a 

solution of tartar emetic (composed of i drachm 

of the drug to an ounce of spirit), and then 

wrapped up with a binder, under which a 

layer of cotton-wool is placed. 

24 

In case there is repeated vomiting, a powder 

composed of 

Bismuth carbonate . . 5 grains, 

Cocaine hydrochloride . . \ grain, 

should be shaken on the tongue every four 

hours until twenty-four hours have elapsed 

since the last vomiting took place. 

If there 

should be a persistent and profuse diarrhoea, 

it must be moderated, but not suppressed, 

by means of 2-J- grains of tannigen given morning, 

noon, and night. When there are any 

convulsions -or much pain, i to grain of 

extract of opium in pill should be administered 

morning and night. 

Light and easily digested food such as 

peptonised milk, Mosquera's beef jelly, Benger's 

peptonised food, etc. should be given in small 

and repeated quantities during the earlier or 

active stages of the disease. Later on, in the 

convalescent stage, scraped raw beef, boiled 

fish, rice pudding, etc., may be offered. 

Parrish's chemical food and cod-liver oil, 

given by some cat-owners during the acute 

stage of distemper when there is no appetite, 

are harmful and cruel remedies. 

DISEASES OF THE EAR. 

The external ear in the cat is short, upright, 

in front. Its 

triangukr, pointed, and opens 

apex in some cats especially Persians has a 

tuft of hair growing from the inside. In the 

outer margin the ear doubles on itself, forming 

a pouch, in which lumps of dirt, ear-mites, 

etc., frequently accumulate. 

A Serous Cyst, or abscess, forms between 

the skin and cartilage of the inside, and sometimes 

also of the outside, of the ear or ears. 

The ear is swollen, feels tense, has a bluish 

or reddish tint, but is not very painful. The 

contents of this swelling are a thin, reddish 

fluid and a blood clot, which separate the skin 

from the cartilage and its covering. 

It is always associated with ear-mites, and 

generally results in the ear shrinking and be- 

coming drawn down, which, when both ears 

are affected, give the animal a peculiar appearance, 

resembling some wild variety of the 

cat tribe that usually carries these organs in 

a semi-pendulous manner. 

Treatment. It can be prevented by keeping 

the cat's ears clean and free from ear-mites. 

When it is present, the cyst should be freely 

opened (which can be done painlessly by previously 

injecting a few drops of a 4 per cent, 

solution of cocaine), the blood clot carefully


removed, and the inner surface of the cavity 

washed out with a 5 per cent, solution of 

chinosol. The ear must be gently pulled 

every day to prevent shrinking, and, consequently, 

deformity. 

True Canker is an inflammation of the 

deeper part of the cavity of the ear, accompanied 

with a chronic foetid, whitish, cheesy, 

or gluey discharge, and sometimes ulceration, 

and, rarely, warty-looking growths. It usually 

runs a long course, unless skilfully treated, and 

is liable to recur. 

Treatment. The ear should be carefully 

washed out with tincture of calendula, and 

then well dried with cotton-wool, and afterwards 

have finely sifted boracic powder blown 

down the cavity. This treatment should be 

carried out at least every other day until 

recovery takes place. 

Quite 90 per cent, of long-haired varieties 

and cross-breeds suffer from Parasitic Canker. 

It is seen in kittens a month old, as well 

as in aged cats, and is conveyable to the dog. 

The ferret also is liable to it. 

It is due to the ear-mite 

auricularum, which was first 

called Symbiotes 

found in the ear 

of the dog by Professor Henng, of Stuttgart, 

in 1834, and in the cat by Huber, of Memingen, 

in 1860. 

It resembles the mange and cheese mites in 

general characters, and is only with difficulty 

seen with the naked eye. When viewed in 

as a small whitish 

strong sunlight, it appears 

or cinnamon-coloured woolly speck, resembling 

a grain of meal or flour crawling about on the 

brownish dirt in the ears. These mites nearly 

always collect together in large colonies. 

There is frequent scratching of the ears with 

the hind limb. The cat suddenly stops, sits 

down, inclines its head to one side, and 

scratches away as if it gave it great 

to do so. In some cases, however, it 

pleasure 

becomes 

quite frantic, and swears. Frequently there 

is an abrasion of the skin behind the ears due 

to this scratching, and occasionally the flap of 

the ear becomes the seat of a serous abscess, 

which I have described. 

When the mite wanders over the drum of 

the ear, especially in warm weather, some cats 

are seized with convulsions, others become 

delirious, 

cated. 

and many reel about as if intoxi- 

Treatment. The ears should be washed out 

with warm soap and water, and then well dried 

with cotton-wool, and afterwards have a lini- 

ment composed of oil of stavesacre (2 drachms) 

and almond oil (6 drachms), mixed together, 

and poured in every day until all signs of irritation 

have passed away, care being taken to 

wipe off the superfluous dressing from the 

ears after each dressing. 

DISEASES OF THE EYE. 

In certain respects the eye of the cat differs 

from that of the other domesticated animals. 

It resembles the eye of the dog in its shape, 

which is somewhat rounded and globular. The 

membrana nictitans, haw, or third eyelid, is not 

so well developed as in some other animals, as 

the cat is able to protect the eye with the paw 

to a considerable extent. The tapctum lucidum 

is of a brilliant metallic golden yellow or 

greenish (in Siamese and albino cats pinkish 

colour), and is so well developed that it probably 

enables the animal to see better at night, by 

reflecting the rays of light a second time 

the retina. 

through 

It is also the cause of the well-known glare 

of the cat's eyes in the dark. 

The iris, or curtain, is yellowish-green, orange, 

or golden in most cats ; sometimes it is ambercoloured, 

and in other cases golden, with a 

tinge of metallic green around the pupillary 

circumference. Some cats, especially white 

cats, have the iris of one of the eyes of a bluish 

white appearance, and the other a golden, 

amber, or greenish golden colour. 

The Siamese cat and many white cats have 

pale blue or bluish eyes. The shade of the iris 

generally varies with the colour of the cat's 

fur, and is taken into consideration in the 

judging of points at shows. 

The pupil, or opening in the centre of the 

iris, when widely dilated, is circular in shape, 

but when contracted it becomes vertically 

elliptical, and may become so narrow as to 

appear as a mere thin perpendicular slit. 

The optic disc, or entrance of the optic nerve 

before it expands in the cavity of the eyeball 

to form the retina, is small, round, and cupped, 

and of a clear grey colour, and the veins in it 

can be distinguished from the arteries which 

radiate from the optic disc. The choroidal 

vessels are rarely seen, but in the Siamese cat 

they are seen in the red peripheral zone. 

Kittens, like puppies, are, as a rule, born 

with the eyelids closed, and this condition lasts 

usually from nine to twelve days, when the 

membrane joining the two lids together wastes 

and finally gives way. Sometimes, however,


the eyelids do not become separated, or only 

become so at one part, so that surgical intervention 

may be necessary to separate the 

partially or completely closed lids. 

I have, on several occasions, seen kittens 

born with their eyes open, but have not been 

able to if satisfy myself the condition was due 

to any prolongation of the period of utero- 

gestation. 

The eyelids are sometimes the seat of ringworm, 

mange, follicular scabies, or eczema, and 

as these affections are usually present in other 

parts of the body, they can easily be diagnosed 

by means of the naked eye or the microscope. 

The best remedy for any of these diseases, 

when situated on the eyelids, is : 

Yellow oxide of mercury 

White vaseline 

4 grams, 

i ounce. 

These ingredients are to be well mixed by a 

competent chemist, and a small piece, about 

the size of a pea, is to be well rubbed on the 

affected part or parts every morning. Care 

must be taken that no superfluous ointment is 

left on the hairs, as most cats will rub it off 

with their paws, which they will immediately 

lick, and so may become poisoned. 

The eyelids occasionally become turned inwards, 

so that the hairs covering it rub on the 

' 

glassy portion of the eyeball, and frequently 

set up irritation, inflammation, and opacity, 

and a copious discharge of tears. This is 

termed entropium, and requires an operation. 

When the eyelid is turned outwards from the 

eyeball, the condition takes the name of 

ectropium, which rarely calls for any interference, 

as it does not injure the animal, even 

if it is unsightly. A very rare anomaly of the 

eyelid in the cat is when the hairs of it take 

an unusual direction, and rub on the glassy 

portion of the eyeball, and, like entropium, set 

up irritation, inflammation, and smokiness of 

it. This is termed trichiasis, and requires an 

operation to remedy it. 

The eyelids are also subject to wounds, 

bruises, abscesses, warts, and Meibomian cysts, 

which do not call for special attention. The 

third eyelid, haw, or membrana nictitans 

though, as before stated, it is not so well 

in the cat as in some other animals- 

developed 

is liable, in debilitating diseases, such as dis- 

temper, anaemia, etc., to protrude persistently 

over the inner part of the front of the eyeball. 

It will, however, resume its normal position 

as the cat regains strength, and should, there- 

fore, on no account be removed. It frequently 

becomes inflamed during distemper, catarrh, 

or ophthalmia, or from injuries, but should 

not in these cases be removed, as if it were a 

foreign body or new growth ; 

a simple soothing, 

antiseptic lotion will put it right as the original 

disease abates and strength is regained. 

Frequently in the cat, as in the dog, just 

below the inner angle of the eye socket an 

abscess forms. This is due to pus in the cavity 

of the jaw bones, called also the antrum of 

highmore,_above the teeth, and is generally 

caused by 

some disturbance or disease of the 

tooth. When the tooth immediately below 

the abscess is removed, and the abscess cavity 

is washed out with some astringent, recovery 

usually takes place. It should, however, be 

borne in mind that the teeth below the eye 

are frequently diseased, and no abscess is 

caused by them. 

A fistula may form immediately below the 

inner angle of the eyelids. It results from an 

abscess which opens, and then heals up, to 

break out again. This process goes on until a 

permanent opening or fistula remains, from 

which a discharge of matter issues. This is 

connected with some disturbance, or even 

disease, of the tooth or teeth immediately 

below it. When the tooth or teeth are removed, 

and the opening occasionally well 

washed out with some astringent, it heals up, 

and no further trouble is seen. However, it 

is sometimes due to tuberculosis, and the 

mere removal of teeth does not do away with 

the fistula. It is mostly mistaken for a 

lachrymal fistula. 

Sometimes the conjunctiva, or the pinkish 

membrane lining the inner surface of the eyelids 

and the front of the eyeball, becomes the 

seat of disease. 

A non-inflammatory swelling of it is seen, 

due to an infiltration of serum. This is called 

chemosis. It has the appearance of a palish 

pink swelling all round the eye, which seems 

sunken in the orbit but does not seem inflamed 

or painful. It may quickly disappear 

on dropping a few minims of a 4 per cent, 

solution of cocaine hydrochloride into the 

eye. It is liable to recur at some future 

time. 

Conjunctivitis, or inflammation of the membrane 

covering the inner lining of the eyes and 

the front of the eyeball, is also termed external 

or simple ophthalmia. It is frequently seen in 

the cat during distemper, diphtheria, catarrh,

372 THE BOOK OF THE CAT; 

or from an injury to, or presence of a foreign 

body in, the eye. 

The animal evidently dreads the light, as 

the eyelids are partially closed, and the haw is 

drawn a little way over the front of the eyeball. 

Tears run down the face, and, if the eyelids 

are separated, and the internal lining thus 

it will be found that it is swollen and 

exposed, 

reddened from the distension of the small 

blood-vessels. After a day or two, the dis- 

charge alters in character, and instead of being 

watery, as before, appears as yellowish white 

thick matter, flowing from or sticking to the 

inner corner of the eye. The lining membrane 

may become so swollen that it laps over the 

lids, and the eyeball seems to have sunk into 

its orbit. 

Sometimes it is associated with the presence 

on the conjunctiva of small, round, pinkish 

bodies, the size of a pin's head, which com- 

pletely disappear as the affection passes off, 

leaving the mucous membrane as they found 

it. Frequently, there are reddish-yellow granulations 

or greyish-white, semi-transparent, or 

glistening bodies, of the size of a rape-seed or 

less, scattered over the conjunctival membrane, 

or protruding from it. 

To these two latter varieties of conjunctivitis 

the terms of follicular and granular are re- 

spectively applied. They both seem contagious. 

Treatment. If the catarrh of the eyes is due 

to a foreign body, it must be removed. The 

cat should be kept in a dark, warm place, free 

from draughts and away from the fire, and the 

8 

eye bathed with a warm lotion composed of 

the : 

following ingredients 

Boracic acid .... grains. 

Cocaine . hydrochloride .8 

Rose-water ... . i ounce. 

If there are any granules on the conjunctiva, 

the lining membrane of the lids should be 

everted, after the eye has been cocainised, and 

painted with a 10 per cent, solution of nitrate 

of silver or rubbed with a stick of copper 

sulphate, care being taken that the superfluous 

material is afterwards washed off with warm 

water. 

The Purulent Ophthalmia of the New-born is 

seen in young kittens as soon as their eyes are 

opened, or even before, and is a very serious 

complaint, as it generally attacks the eyeball, 

which it 

destroys, and consequently the sight 

is lost. This disease seems contagious. 

There is a bulging of the eyelids, which are 

glued together. When these are separated, a 

thick, yellowish matter flows out, the eyes are 

ulcerated and perforated, the inner surfaces of 

the eyelids are inflamed, and soon after the 

contents of the eye protrude as a fleshy mass. 

Treatment. If the eyes are destroyed, the 

animal should be put into the lethal chamber 

at once. On the other hand, if there is no 

ulceration of the eyeball, the eyelids should be 

separated and the eyes and under-surface of 

the eyelids constantly irrigated for a quarter 

of an hour at a time with a warm solution of 

chinosol. The eyelids must not be allowed to 

become sealed up, else matter will collect and 

press on the delicate eyeballs and them. 

destroy 

It may be advisable to paint the inside 

of the eyelids with a 10 per cent, solution of 

nitrate of silver. 

The cornea, or clear, glassy transparent membrane 

of the front of the eyeball, is frequently 

involved in the disease just described, or it 

may become inflamed or ulcerated independent 

of it. 

Inflammation of the cornea, termed Corneitis, 

keratitis, or external ophthalmia, may result 

from conjunctivitis, injuries, distemper, diphtheria, 

or disease of the brain or nerves, sun- 

stroke, etc. 

It is very prevalent during the cold winds 

of spring, and in the majority of instances 

seems to be contagious. It appears in the 

form of patchy congestion or inflammation, 

or at a later stage as ulceration. 

One or both eyes may be affected. There 

is a dread of light, a continual flow of tears, 

and frequent winking of the eyelids, or almost 

complete closure of them. The cornea, usually 

glassy and transparent, becomes clouded by 

a smoky or milky white film, which has a 

rounded or irregular form. 

Blood-vessels, which in the normal state are 

absent, appear on the cornea, spreading from 

a part or all round the circumference towards 

the centre of the eye. If the inflammation is 

intense and prolonged, the eyeball perforated, 

and the contents bulge outwards and become 

rough, dirty, and leathery in appearance, this 

condition is generally seen either as the result 

of an injury, or from improper treatment, or 

neglect of a simple affection of the eye. In 

distemper the inflammation usually expends 

itself on some particular spot or spots in one or 

both eyes. 

These spots may appear as mere 

milky-white patches, or they may present an 

appearance which might lead an ordinary 

observer to the conclusion that a small piece


had been dug out of the eye. They may 

occur either in the centre of the cornea, or a 

little above it, or sometimes a little towards 

the outer angle of the eye. 

At the outset the cornea at the particular 

in which the inflammation is 

spot or spots 

localised becomes softened, then bulges, and 

finally gives way, so that a depression or ulcer 

is left on the eye. Some time after this ulcer 

becomes filled up with granulations of a dirty 

red colour, which afterwards become absorbed, 

when the cure is complete. Frequently two 

ulcers appear side by side. 

Sometimes, when these ulcerations are improperly 

treated or neglected, or associated 

with great debility or anaemia, the white speck 

remains as a permanent blemish, or in the 

more serious cases the ulcer perforates the 

eye, and the contents of which bulge and cause 

what is termed a staphyloma, from its resemblance 

to a grape, or the whole eye may become 

involved in the inflammation and be totally 

destroyed. In these cases of the destroyed or 

" " 

lost eyes, the whole eyeball has a greenishwhite 

appearance, and seems to bulge out from 

the socket in consequence of the general 

swelling of the organ. It may give way or 

become ulcerated, giving rise to a continual 

discharge, and if not removed causes great 

pain and exhaustion. 

Treatment. The cat should be kept in the 

dark, and soothing antiseptics applied to the 

eye. 

The solution lecommended for conjunctivitis 

is also very serviceable here. If the eye affection 

is due to distemper or any other general disease, 

it is, of course, necessary to treat this disease, 

in addition to the local applications to the eye. 

When ulceration takes place, the following 

drops 

are recommended : 

Eserine salicylate . 

Distilled water 

1 grain. 

2 drachms. 

To be instilled between the eyelids, by means 

of an eye-dropper, two or three times a day. 

Tf, however, there is much vascularity, the 

following drops 

are advisable : 

. . Atrophine sulphate -J grain. 

Cocaine . . hydrochloride 6 grains. 

Distilled water . . .2 drachms. 

After all the acute symptoms have passed 

away, the indolent granulations may require 

treatment. A suitable application for this 

purpose 

is : 

-3? 

.8 

Chinosol . . . 

Rose-water . . . 

24* 

grains. 

ounces. 

To bathe the eye, by means of allowing the 

lotion to drop by squeezing a piece of lint 

saturated with it between the eyelids several 

times a day. 

When the eye is irretrievably lost, and sup- 

puration commences in the interior of the eye, 

it is necessary to remove the whole eyeball. 

However, this should not be performed in the 

case of distemper until after the original disease 

abates, else removal of one eye will 

end in destruction of the other. 

probably 

GeneraL_Remarks on the Eye. In all affections 

of the eyes, a careful examination of them 

should be made by an experienced qualified 

veterinary surgeon. As, however, in some 

out-of-the-way places professional aid is diffi- 

cult, if not impossible, to obtain, a few brief 

hints as to general treatment should be useful. 

Many amateurs, in their anxiety to effect a 

speedy and complete cure, attempt too much, 

use powerful and irritating drugs (often also in 

improper proportions), and frequently, with 

the best intentions in the world, succeed in 

permanently injuring or even destroying the 

sight. It is therefore better, in the absence of 

professional aid, and especially in the earlier 

stages of inflammation of the eyes, to trust to 

mild and palliative treatment, and to " give 

nature a chance." 

In all cases of recent inflammation, soothing 

applications should be used, such as warm 

infusion of poppy-heads or camomile flowers, 

warm milk, cocaine drops, etc. If the inflammation 

is associated with increased tension 

of the eyeball, due to an excessive quantity of 

fluid within it, or is accompanied by deep 

ulceration, the increased tension should be 

reduced by means of the eserine drops. 

Lotions containing either lead or silver nitrate 

should not be used in inflammation of the 

cornea associated with ulceration, as the former 

is apt to leave a white spot or patch, and the 

latter a brown or blackish stain. 

Last, but by no means least, animals affected 

with disturbance of the eyes should be kept 

in the dark, or at any rate away from the fire 

or from any glaring light, and should be shielded 

from draughts. The general health should also 

be looked to, and nourishing food given. 

DISEASES OF THE SKIN. 

The cat is very fortunately free from many of 

the skin complaints that affect the dog. Nevertheless, 

domestication and improper surroundings 

the curses of health demand a few


victims now and again, and hence the muchmaligned 

cat is not exempt from this bane. 

The diseases are either contagious and conveyable 

from one cat to another, or simple and 

not spread by contact. 

The contagious skin diseases are due either 

to an animal parasite (as in mange) or to a 

vegetable parasite (as in ringworm). 

Sarcoptic Mange is a contagious skin disease 

of the cat due to an animal parasite or 

mange-mite, termed Sarcoptes minor, var. cati. 

It generally attacks ill-fed, neglected, and 

badly housed cats which are allowed to stray, 

and is seen chiefly in the -autumn. It frequently 

occurs as an epizootic, and where no 

attention is bestowed on the victims it is very 

fatal. 

The adult or mature mite has an almost 

circular body. When viewed under the micro- 

scope, its limbs seem to be under its body. It 

has eight pairs of legs in the adult and six in 

the larval stage. In the female the hind legs 

are provided at the extremities with bristles 

only ; but in the male the central pair of hind 

legs are provided with suckers, although the 

outer pair have bristles. It does not excavate 

a subcutaneous gallery, or burrow, like the 

mange-mites of other animals, but makes a 

simple nest, that appears as a minute eminence. 

The larvae, nymphse, and males wander in the 

midst of the crusts. 

It is capable of being transmitted to man, 

and to the dog, rat, horse, and ox. 

Whatever part of the body it first touches, 

it always goes to the head to do its injurious 

work. At first small reddish pimples, no 

larger than a pin's head or a turnip-seed, 

appear; these exude a yellowish fluid which 

dries and forms crusts. The animal scratches, 

the hair falls off, numerous other scales 

appear, and become thicker and thicker, until 

the whole head and ears become encased in a 

cast of dirty yellowish crusts. The crusts may 

be absent in young kittens or cats, but slightlyadherent 

scales are seen instead. 

After a time the disease spreads to the neck 

and shoulders, elbows and thighs, or even to 

the whole body. In kittens or young cats 

the complaint is more likely tp spread to 

various parts of the body, but in older animals 

it is generally confined to the head, or head 

and neck, but may, as in young cats, spread to 

the other parts or to the whole body, the skin 

of which, after some time, becomes wrinkled, 

and gives off a musty odour. 

The nostrils and eyes may be blocked up by 

the thickened crusts, so that the animal can 

see, or breathe through the nostrils, only with 

difficulty. The cat hides or strays away, it 

mopes and seems sad ; it becomes emaciated, 

and indifferent to its surroundings, and finally 

succumbs to exhaustion or some concurrent 

disease. It may be associated with ringworm 

or parasitic ear canker ; it is nearly always 

accompanied by the elliptical tapeworm. 

It quickly kills within five or six weeks if 

no treatment or attention is bestowed on 

the cat, especially if young ; but where it is 

partially treated, it may linger for months, 

even years. Cold weather retards its progress, 

but its energy is renewed in the following 

spring. It spreads slowly on well-cared-for 

cats. 

Treatment. The mangy cat should be kept 

isolated from the healthy animals, and kept 

away from children. Its basket, bedding, or 

cage should be boiled, burnt, or thoroughly 

disinfected. The cat must be carefully dressed 

with sulphurated lime lotion, which should be 

applied by means of a piece of lint every day, 

taking care that the animal is kept warm and 

well fed. 

Follicular Mange is due to a caterpillar- 

shaped mite the Demodex or Acarus folliculorum, 

var. cati which inhabits the sebaceous 

follicles of the skin. It is sometimes found in 

the ears, nose, and head of the cat, but rarely 

causes severe itchiness. It produces pimples 

and scabs, which are only of short duration, 

and seldom occasions trouble. It is frequently 

associated with sarcoptic mange. The parasite 

is a quarter smaller than that of the dog. 

Treatment. A lotion composed of sulphurated 

potash (i drachm), glycerine (-J- oz. to 

6 parts of rose-water), applied by means of 

lint to the affected part once a day, generally 

suffices to cause its disappearance. 

Grey Ringworm, or Tinea tonsurans, is not 

a common affection of the cat. It is due to a 

vegetable parasite or mould, termed the Trichophyton 

felineum, which attacks the hairs, these 

becoming much altered and broken, and their 

ends split up and frayed like a brush. There 

will be noticed circular or oval bald patches, 

covered with an abundance of scales, which are 

of a slaty or greyish appearance, and vary 

according to the colour of the animal. These 

are seen on the head and limbs and round the 

eyelids and mouth, but also on other parts of 

the body. They ma}' run into one another,


and form large patches. There may be itchiness 

and scratching and in this latter case 

; 

the crusts may be covered with blood and 

resemble eczema. 

Treatment. As this disease is conveyable to 

other cats, to the horse, ox. dog, and children, 

the affected animal should be isolated and 

the patches dressed with tincture of perchloride 

of iron once every third day. (Whole 

families, and even a whole school, have been 

known to become affected with ringworm 

from a cat.) 

Yellow Ringworm, or Tinea favosa, or favus, 

also termed " honeycomb ringworm," is a 

commoner disease in the cat than grey ringworm. 

It is due to a vegetable parasite named 

Achorion Qmnckeanum, which causes at first 

yellow-coloured crusts that are arranged as 

cup-shaped masses, which disturb the hairs so 

that they are shed. These cup-shaped masses 

resemble a honeycomb in appearance, hence its 

name. The sulphur-yellow colour after a time 

changes to a dirty yellow or grey. The patches 

may be circular or zigzag, and raised above the 

skin, but the centre is depressed so as to give 

them a cup-shaped appearance. They vary in 

size from a pin's head to a shilling, or larger. 

They may run into one another, so that the 

circular form is no longer present. The hairs 

are stiff and lustreless, and can be easily pulled 

out. They seem to grow in the centre of the 

" cups." After a time the parasite loosens the 

hair in the follicle, so that it is shed. 

It prefers to affect the root of the claws, or 

the belly, sides of the chest, elbows, head, base 

of ears, nose, and then spreads all over the 

body. When it attacks the head, it ensheaths 

the face and scalp as if clay had been moulded 

to the parts, so that the eyes become hidden 

from view. 

The cat hides itself, or strays away ; it 

moans or mews, crouches on all fours, and 

seems utterly miserable. The skin gives off 

an abominable odour, which resembles mouldy 

decaying wood in a damp, dark building, or 

a mousy smell. When the disease is in an 

advanced stage, the animal dies from exhaustion 

or some concurrent disease. 

It affects old cats as well as young ones, and 

it is said they contract it from mice and rats, 

which become affected behind the ears. A 

week or a fortnight elapses before any symptom 

appears after infection. Young animals are 

easily infected, but older ones may resist it. 

It is transmissible to children and adults, from 

cat to cat, from man to cat, and from rats and 

mice to man and cat. It may be associated 

with mange and parasitic ear canker. 

Treatment. The cat affected with yellow 

ringworm should be kept away from children 

and other cats : the affected patches may 

be painted with the following : 

Salicylic acid 

Ether 

Spirit of wine 

Glycerine 

Camphor-water The term "Eczema is given to all those skin 

1 drachm. 

2 drachms. 

ounce. 

4 drachms, 

to 3 ounces. 

eruptions that are characterised by pimples 

and vesicles followed by scabs and scales, and 

accompanied with great itchiness. 

It is said to be non-contagious, and as far 

as the cat is concerned this seems to me to be 

true. On the other hand, in the dog some of 

the varieties of eczema appear to be spread 

by contact. It very often runs 

course, and frequently recurs. 

a chronic 

It generally affects the back, loins, root of 

tail, and back of the thighs, although any part 

of the body may be attacked. There is great 

itchiness, the animal bites or licks itself, the 

skin becomes red, pimples the size of a head 

of a millet seed, or even a small pea, appear ; 

these, after a time, burst, and a fluid issues 

from them and dries, forming scabs. Sometimes 

the itchiness is so intense as to cause the 

animal to bite or lick itself until the skin 

becomes raw and bleeding. In rare instances 

it produces a kind of mania for licking, which 

is followed by epileptiform seizures. The hair 

falls off, leaving bare patches, or it becomes 

matted together by the gluey discharge and 

ultimately sheds itself. 

In suckling cats, after sudden deprivation of 

their offspring, an eczematous eruption may 

appear on the belly, back, and loins, but it is 

not, as a rule, severe. 

The she-cat, especially of the light-coloured 

variety, when not allowed to breed, is often 

troubled with a scattered vesicular eruption, 

which is too difficult to eradicate, and is very 

liable to recur. 

In the castrated male cat it is very common 

to find a papular and vesicular eruption, which 

breaks out every spring and autumn. 

The causes of eczema in the cat are an unnatural, 

sedentary life and an abundance of 

rich food without any compensatory or sufficient 

exercise in the fresh air. Hot weather, 

especially when accompanied by wet, pre-


disposes to it, but the affection is seen also in 

the cold months of the year. 

Treatment. The animal suffering from 

eczema should be allowed as much exercise 

of its functions in the open aii as possible. 

Grass or freshly boiled green vegetables, or 

asparagus, should be put within its reach. 

Raw meat, uncooked fish with the bones in, or 

birds with the feathers on, or bullock's liver 

are suitable as ordinary food. Rice-pudding, 

oatmeal, and milk should not be given. 

The treatment of the skin is chiefly local. 

The itchiness must be allayed. This can be 

obtained by applying precipitated sulphur 

(2 drachms), zinc oxide (2 drachms), mixed in 

olive oil (2 ounces) twice a day to the affected 

parts. If the eruptions are spread over a 

wide area, the hair should be cut off close to 

the skin before applying the dressing. For 

internal treatment a powder composed of 

calomel to (J- J grain) and bicarbonate of 

sodium (a to 5 grains) should be given twice 

a day. If the disease runs a chronic course, 

arsenic bromide or iodide ( T -J- ff grain in a 

pilule) should be given three times a are burnt. The crevices or corners of the 

cat's house should be sprinkled with oil of 

turpentine, 

day. 

EXTERNAL ANIMAL PARASITES. 

or Sanitas powder. 

Fortunately for the cat, it is affected with 

only one variety of louse, the Cat Louse (Trichodectcs 

subrostratus), which differs from the flea 

in being wingless and not jumping from but 

only quitting the cat by accident. It has 

three-articled antennae the head has ; 

five sides 

to it the ; body is oval, and in the female 

notched behind. Its colour is yellowish-brown. 

It is not a blood-sucker, but attacks the 

hair and eats the epidermis, preferably that of 

the head, neck, back, and limbs, where it 

causes intense itching. It develops rapidly 

upon poorly fed, weak, or debilitated animals. 

There is, besides itchiness, loss of hair, scurfiness, 

and nits (eggs) in more or less large 

numbers, which by their presence indicate that 

the skin has not received sufficient attention. 

The nits, or eggs, are attached to the hair. 

Treatment. The hair may be sprayed with 

equal parts of vinegar and concentrated infusion 

of quassia. Moreover, should the 

animal lick 

plied, 

itself after this dressing is ap- 

it will act as a tonic. Raw meat, or 

The Cat Flea (Pulex serraticeps, var. cati). 

The cat flea is identical with, but rather 

smaller than, that of the dog. It differs from 

the flea of mankind (Pulex irritans) by having 

black, blunt spines, seven to nine in number, 

arranged as the teeth of a comb, at the posterior 

border of the prothorax and at the 

inferior border of the head. It is a troublesome 

pest by irritating and disturbing rest. It 

prefers to attack the cat when she is suckling. 

The flea plays an important part in the 

evolution of the elliptical tapeworm (Tcema 

elliptica) by harbouring the intermediary 

cysticercus, the ingestion of which gives rise 

to the development of this tapeworm in the 

intestine. 

Treatment. The cat should have powdered 

pyrethrum well rubbed into its skin, and then 

combed out, care to be taken that the combings 

fish, cod-liver oil, etc., should be given. 

PAINLESS DESTRUCTION OF CATS. 

A knowledge of how painlessly to destroy a 

cat's life is very important to the owner of a 

cat who is not in reach of a veterinary surgeon 

the proper person to undertake this duty 

under ordinary circumstances. 

The most humane method i? to place 

the animal in a small air-tight box, into 

which has been placed previously two to four 

drachms of chloroform on a sponge or piece of 

lint or cotton-wool, which produces at first 

anaesthesia or painless sleep, and afterwards 

death from failure of the respiration and heart. 

It does not cause a suffocative feeling or sensation 

like coal-gas, or spasm, as does prussic 

acid. Care must be taken not to take the cat 

out of the box too soon, or else life, not quite 

extinct, may return.

Abscess of the Ear, 369 ; 

of the Eye, 371 

Abyssinian Cats, 297, 301 

Albinos, 351 

Alice in Wonderland, 15 

Alice through the Looking-g'ass, 15 

Amateur Cat Photography, 332 

America : Cat Fancy, 30, 303 ; ''Any Other Colour " 

Persians in, 235 Brown ; Tabby Persians, 227, 

229; Cats' Homes in, 33 ; Difficulties of Showing, 

324 ; Fanciers, 304 ; Judging, 317 ; Literature, 

31 ; Short-haired Cats, 286 ; Shows, 327 ; 

Smoke Persians, 184 ; Stud Cats, 305 ; Stud 

Cats' Register, 309 ; 

American Cat Clubs, 30 

Anaesthetics, 557 

Anatomy of Ca

378 

Chinese Cat, 300 

Chintz Cats, 210, 212 

Chocolate Siamese Cat, 256 

Christmas Cards, Cats on, 25 

Chronic Nasal Catarrh, 362 

Cincinnati Cat Shows, 314 

Clan Chattan, 13 

Clarke, Mrs. S. F., on Breeding Blue Persians, 

107 

Classes, Definition of, 28 

Classification at Shows, 78 

Clavicle of Cat, 351 

Claws of Cat, 350, 35^ 

Cleanliness in Catteries, 44 

Cleveland Shows, 314 

Clouded Leopard, 351 

Coat of Cats, 37, 98, 113, 340 ; Abyssinian Cat, 

301 ; Black Persian, 117 ; Chinchilla, 154 

Cream Persian, 201 ; in Exhibiting, 61, 62 ; 

in Illness, 45 ; in Judging Long-haired 

Classes, 72 Manx ; Cat, 245, 251 ; Neuters, 

238 ; Orange Persian, 190 ; Preparing for 

Photography, 333 ; Short-hairs, 270, 282, 289 ; 

Silver Persians, 140, 165, 174 ; Smoke Persians, 

178, 184 ; Stud Cats, 47 ; White Persians, 118, 

124 

Cochran, Miss H., on "Any Other Colour*' 

Persians, 233 ; on Cream Persians, 205 on 

; 

Neuters, 239 ; on Siamese Cats, 265 

Cod-liver Oil, 39, 261 

Cold Storage Breed of Cats, 24 

Collar-bone of Cat, 351 

Collingwood, Mrs., 105 

Colour Breeding, 344 ; Black Cats, 345 ; Chinchillas, 

346; Crossing for, 344; Eyes, 3^5; 

Smokes, 346 ; White Cats, 354 

Colour of Eyes, 96 

Common Cold, 362 

Common Round-worm, 361 

*' 

Concerning Cats," by H. Winslow, 34 

Condition, Importance of, 97 

Conjunctivitis, 371 

Connecticut Cat Fancy, 308 

Constipation, 40, 360 

Cope, Miss, on Silver Tabbies, 173 

Cornea, Inflammation of the, 372 

Corneitis, 372 

Cougar, The, 322 

Cough 362 

Cowper, ii 

Cox, Mrs. Carew, on Blue Short-hairs, 278 ; on 

Siamese Cats, 266 

Cream or Fawn Persians, 201 ; Miss H. Cochran 

on, 205 ; Colour Breeding, 348 ; Mrs. D'Arcy 

Hildyard on, 204 ; Markings, 201 ; Mating, 

204, 207; Mr. Morris on, 203; Noted Cats, 

203 ; Points, 201 

Cremation, 32 

Crested Cat, 350 

Crossing (see Breeding and Mating} 

Crystal Palace National Cat Club Shows, 27' 

Cusp of Tooth, 352 

Cyprus Cat, 8, 216 

Darwin, 152, 211 

D'Aveunes, M. P., 13 

Deafness, 118, 121 

Dental Formula for Cat, 321 

Dentition, 99 

Detroit Cat Fancy, 313 

Devil as Black Cat, 8 

Diagrams: Bones and Principal Ligaments of 

Cat's Toe, 352 ; Brain of Cat, 350 ; Eye, 356 ; 

Pad of Cat's Left Fore-foot, 352 ; Points of 

Cat, 96 ; Skeleton of Cat, 355 ; Skull of Cat, 

353 ; Skull of Machcerodus Neogocus, 351 ; 

Superficial Flexor Tendons of Cat's Left Foot, 

352 ; Superficial Muscles of Cat, 354 ; Surface 

of Cat's Tongue, 357 

Diana, Goddess, 6 

Diarrhoea, 39, 42, 360; in Enteritis, 358; in 

Kittens, 46 ; in Pneumonia, 363 ; Rice-water 

to Check, 339 

Dibdin, 13 

Diet, 37, 39 ; in Illness, 373 

Diphtheria, 362 

Diseases : of the Ear, 369 ; Eye, 370 ; Kidneys, 

361 ; Skin, 373 

Disinfectants, 55 

Distemper, 339, 362 ; Curative Treatment, 368 ; 

Diagnosis and Prognosis, 368 ; Mortality 

from, 365 ; 

Various Forms, 365 

Distension of the Bladder, 361 

Dogs' Cemetery, 35 

Drainage of Catteries, 51 

Dublin Cats* Home, 33 


Dumas, n 

Dyer, Thistleton, 19 

Ear : of Cat, 96 ; Abyssinian Cat, 298 ; Blue 

Short-hairs, 278 ; Chinese Cats, 300 ; Diseases, 

369 

Ear-bone of Cat, 350 

Ear Mites, 370 

in Chinchillas, 154; Silver Tabbies, 

Ear-tufts, 96 ; 

172 ; Smoke Persians, 178 

Ectropium, 371 

Eczema, 46, 375 

Egypt, i ; Animal Worship, 2 ; Cat-faced Goddess, 

3 ; Earliest Cat Representations, 5 ; Home for 

Cats, 33 Mahommedan Cat ; Cult, 4 ; Mummies, 

2 ; Old Cat Pictures, 5 ; Modern Cats 

in, 34 ; Symbolic Eye in Cat Images, 5 

Egyptian Cut, 297 

Electricity in Black Cats, 114 

Ellen M. Gilford's Sheltering Home for Animals, 

34 

Enemas, 360 

Enteritis, 358 ; Treat-nent for, 360 

Entropium, 371 

Epilepsy, 8 

Evacuations in Illness, 45, 364 

Exhibiting, 61 

Eye 

: of Cat, 96, 344, 351 ; Black Persian, 112, 

116 Blue ; Persian, 126 ; Blue Short-hairs, 

278 Brown ; Tabby Persian, 216 ; Chinchillas, 

154 ; Cream Persians, 201 ; Colour Breeding, 

345 ; Diseases of the, 370 in ; Distemper, 365, 

367 ; General Remarks, 373 ; Horopollo on, 

4 ; Illustrated, 356 ; in Judging, 74 ; Kittens, 

42, 338 ; Maltese Cats, 320 ; Manx Cats, 245 ; 

Orange Persians, 189, 199 ; Siamese Cats, 257, 

267 ; Silver Persians, 139, 166, 172, 174 ; 

Smokes, 180, 183 ; Tabby Short-hairs, 294 ; 

Tortoiseshells, 210 ; White Persians, 118 ; 

White Short-hairs, 289 

Eyelids, Diseases of the, 371 

Face and Nose of Cat, 96 

Faking, 66, 323 

l( 

Fanciers, 27 ; in America, 304 ; Any Other Class," 

234 ; Blue Persian, is3 ; Blue Short-hairs, 

277 ; Brown Tabby Persian, 217 ; in California, 

310 ; in Canada, 315 ; in Chicago, 309, 313 ; 

in Detroit, 313 J Maine Cats, 330 Manx 

; 

Cats, 247 ; Neuters, 240 ; in New York, 306 ; 

in Ohio, 314 ; Orange Persians, 191 ; Short- 

hairs, 285, 293 ; Siamese Cats, 

Silvers, 143, 168, 288 ; Smokes, 

toiseshell, 287 ; 

256, 

180 ; 

258 ; 

Tor- 

Fawe Strain, 115 

White Persians, 119 

Feeding of Cats, 24, 37 ; Utensils, 56 

Feet of Cat, 353 

Felis, Generic Title, 350 

Female Cats, 38 ; Eczema in, 375 ; Splaying, 47, 

" Field and Fancy " : on Brown Tabbies, 229 ; on 

Orange Persians, 199 ; on Smokes, 185 

Fish as Food, 37 ; for Kittens, 338 

Fishing Cat, 351 

Fistula of Eyelids, 371 

Fits in Kittens, 46 

Flea, The Cat, 44, 376 ; Cause of Tapeworm, 361 

Flooring for Cattery, 51 

Folklore, 13, 114, 115 

Follicular Mange, 374 

Food, 37, 39, 373 

Foreign Cats, 297 ; Judging, 301 

Fore-limb of Cat, 353 

Forestier-Walker, Miss, on Siamese Cats, 257, 

267 

Fossil Cat Remains, 350 

; Dosing, 158; for Siamese 

Foster-mother, 42, 157 

Kittens, ^268; Mr. Ward's Artificial, 340 

France, Cat in, 6 ; on Signboards, 13 

Freeman's Scientific Food, 37 

Frill of Persians, 178. 189 

Fur of Cat, 7, 40 ; Condition, 97 ; in Exhibiting, 

62 ; in Illness, 45 ; of Neuters, 47 ; of 

Persians, 96, 98, 138 

*' Fur and Feather ": on Eyes, 141; on Neuters, 

239 ; on Showing, 90 ; on Siamese Cats, 256 

Gall-bladder of Cat, 356 

Gastritis, 358 

Gastro-enteritis, 358 

Gautier, Bon, 11 

Gelded Cats, 237 

Gelding, 47, 237 

Geoffrey's Cat, 297, 302 

Geographical Distribution of Cat Family, 350 

Gestation, 38 

Gloss on Coat, 97 

Goethe, n 

Gordon Cottage, 32 

Gotwalts, Mrs., 307 

Government Cats, 22 

Gowanda, U.S., 304 

Grass, Necessity of, ic8 

Great Britain, Cats in, 6 

Greeks and Cats, 6 

Grey Ringworm, 374 

Greymalkin, 216 

Hairless Cats, 298 

Hana, 5 

Hardy, Mrs. P. : Travelling Basket Designed by, 

58 ; on Treatment of Cats in Illness, 134 

Hart Park, New Brighton, 307 

on biamese Cats, 262 

Hawkins, Mrs., 232 ; 

Hay as Bedding, 338 

Heart of Cat, 356 

Heating Cattery, 54 

Heliopolis, 4 

Heraldry, Cats in, 12 

Herring, Mrs., 106 

Hildyard, Mrs. D'Arcy, on Cream Persians, 204 ; 

on Orange Persians, 198 

Hind limb of Cat, 353 

Homes for Stray and Starving Cats, 32 ; Boarding, 

35 ; in Chicago, 313 ; in Dublin, 33 

Homing Instinct, 21 

Hooker, Mrs. J. J., 330 

Horseflesh, 24, 37 

Hot-water Bottle, 39, 57 

House, Mr. C. A. : on Judging, 74 ; on Silver 

Breeding, 143 ; 

on Silver Tabbies, 175 

Housing of Cats, 49 

Howel the Good, 6 

Hugo, Victor, n 

Hunt, Miss M., on White Persians, 121 

Hyde Park, Dogs' Cemetery, 35 

Ice in Sickness, 358 

Illness, Symptoms of, 44 

In-breeding, 90, 156, 184, 341, 348 

India : Domestic Cats, 298 ; Fables of, 6 

Indianapolis, 314 

Inflammation of the Stomach, 358 

Inoculation for Distemper, 368 

Instinct, 21 

Insurance, 66 

Iris of Cat's Eye, 370 

Isle of Man, 245, 249 

Isochromatic Plates in Photography, 336 

Italy, 6 

James, Mrs. H. V., on Blue Short-hairs, 276 ; 

Smokes, 180 

Japan, 300 ; Tailless Cats of, 246 

Japanese Cats, 300 

Jay, Miss, on Judging:, 132 

Jennings, Mr. J., on Classification, 99 ; on Russian 

Cats, 275 

Johnson, Dr., n 

Jones, Mr., Brown Tabbies of, 330 

Judge, 1 80 

Judging, 68; in America, 317; Blue Persians, 

126, 131 ; Blue Short-hairs, 277 ; Foreign Cats, 

Colours, 72 ; Siamese Cats, 265 ; Silver 

Persians, 162 ; Tabbies, 72, 295 

Jung, Mr. H. E. t 286 

Katzen Family, 13 

Kidneys, Diseases of the, 361 

King, His Most Gracious Majesty the, 219, 240 

King James of Scotland, 8 

Kircher, A., 6 

Black Persian, 116 

Kittens, 38, 40, 122, 175, 337 : 

Blue Persians, no, 127, 345 ; Blue bhort 

hairs, 276, 279; 

Breeding, 340 ; 

Boarding-out System, 343 

Brown Tabbies, 216, 225 

on

Chinchilla, 346 ; Chinchilla Challenge Trophy, 

151 ; Cleanliness, 44, 340 ; Colour Breeding, 

345 ; Danger of Damp to, 340 ; Defective 

Digestion, 343 Destruction of ; Sickly, 341 ; 

; Distemper, 367 Eyes, 42, 370; Feeding, 42, 

158, 338, 339; Fosier-mothers, 268, 340; Fur, 

99; Handling, 340; Illness, 45; Insects in, 

44; Maltese, ^20; Manx, 249; Mismarked, 

234 ; Orange Persian, 190, 194, 199 Outdoor 

; 

Exercise, 339 ; Pairs at Shows, 65 ; Persian, 

337 ; Photographing, 333 ; Purulent Ophthalmia, 

372 ; Sale of, 46, 343 ; Selection, 91 ; 

Show, Northern Club, 93 ; Siamese, 257 ; 

Silvers, 140, 155, 173 ; Smokes, 179, 346 ; 

Teeth, 352 Treatment after ; Birth, 40, 337 ; 

Weaning, 44, 159 ; Weight, 339 White Per- 

; 

Label for Travelling Basket, 60 

Labour, Treatment during, 41 

Ladies Kennel Association, 93 

Lady Decies' Cattery, 101 

Lambert, M. Eugene, 16 

Landor, Mr., 88 

Leake, Miss A., on Silver Tabbies, 170 

Lebrun, Mme., 15 

Leopard, 

" 

The, 350 

Les Chats," 5 

Lesdiguieres, Mme, de, 10 

Lethal Boxes and Chambers, 19, 32, 343, 

" 

376 

Lettres sur les Chats," n 

Lice, 361 

Liguieres, Prof., 368 

Lime-water, 158, 339 

Lion," The, 350, 351; and Cat in Legend, i; 

Colour, 351 

Ljston, R., ii 

Literature on Cats, 31 

Litter Classes, 68 

Little, Mr. R., on Black Persians, 117 

Liver, of Cat, 356 

Locke, Mrs. C., on White Persians, 123 

London Institution, Camden Town, 32 

Long-haired Cats, 98 

Lord Mayor's Chain, 216 in ; Silver Tabbies, 170, 

174 

Louisville Cat Club, 27 

Louvre, The, 5 

Lusus, 6 

Lynx, The, 322 

M 

Maau, 5 

Machcerodus, 350 

Maine Cats, 321, 325, 328 ; Brown Tabbies, 328 ; 

Fanciers, 330; Neuters, 331 ; Shows, 303 

Male Cats, 47 ; Training on Leads, 340 

Maltese Cats, 275, 320 ; Kittens, 320 ; Markings, 

20 ; Points, 321 

Mange, 374 

Mange Mites, 361, 374 

Manx Cat Club, 27, 30, 249 

Manx Cats, 244 ; Mr. G. Bolton on, 245 ; Mr. H. 

C. Brooke on, 250 ; Coat, 245 ; Fanciers, 247 ; 

Kittens, 249 ; Mating, 250 ; Origin, 251 ; 

Points, 245, 250 ; Types, 246 ; Verses on 252 

Markings of Coais, 74, 319 ; in Brown Tabbies, 

228 ; Maltese, 320 ; Orange Persians, 187 ; 

Siamese Cats, 

Short-hairs, 283, 288, 290, 295 ; 

257 ; Silver Persians, 138, 165, 169 

Martin, Mrs., on Silver Persians, 160 

Mason, Mr. T. B. : on Blue Persians, 

Judging, 74; on Short-hairs, 290 

127 ; on 

Maternal Instinct in Cat, 22 

" 

Mating, 38, 316 ; Any Other Colours," 233 ; Best 

Age for Queens, 109; Black Persians, 112, 

115; Blue Persians, 107, 126; Blue Shorthairs, 

279 ; Brown Tabbies, 228 ; Chinchillas, 

152, 160; Cross-breeding, 334; Diet during, 

38; Hints on, 91; Manx Cats, 250; Orange 

Persians. 190, 193 ; Pedigree Cats, 152 ; 

Shorthairs, 284, 288, 291, 294 ; Siamese, 256, 

258 ; Silvers, 143, 144, 172, 175 ; Smokes, 182 ; 

Stud Cats, 47 ; Stud Fees, 91 ; Tortoiseshells, 

White Persians, 119 

209, 214, 295 ; 

Maynard, Rev. R., on Silver Tabbies, 167 

Meat, Raw, as Food, 37 for ; Kittens, 338 

Medal, Cat Club, 133 

Medicine, 39, 135, 358 ; Bromide, 38 ; for Diarrhoea, 

40 ; for Show Cats, 67 ; in Teething, 

46 ; Worm Powders, 38, 361 

Meibomian Cysts, 371 

Melox, 339 

Melrose, Mass., Cattery, 306 

Middle Ages, Cat Fables, 8, 10 

Midland Counties Cat Club, 27, 29, 94 

Milk, Condensed, 43, 338 

INDEX. 379 

Milk, Cows, 41, 158; in Enteritis, 358; or 

Kittens. 41, 338 

Millerton, N.Y., 307 

Milton, J., 14 

Mind, Swiss Painter, 15 

Mivart, G., n 

Mohr au Chat, 13 

Moncrietf, n 

Montreal Cats' Home, 34 

Moon, Cat Emblem of, 4 

Morgan, Mrs., 32 

Morris Refuge for Homeless and Suffering Animals, 

34 

Morrison, Mrs.- McLaren, 105 

Mountain Lion, The, 322 

Mouse in Arabian Legend, i 

Muezza, 10 

Mummies, Cat, i, 4 ; Kitten, 3 

Muscles of Cat, 355 

N 

Naples, 6 

Nasal Catarrh, 362 

Nasal Discharge, 362 

National Cat Club, 26 ; Championship Show, 94 ; 

Classes, 27, soi Manx Cat ; Judging, 251 ; 

in View, 27 ; Register, 78; Registra- 

Objects 

Varieties re- 

tion, 29, 62 ; Stud Book, 27 ; 

cognised by, 63 

Neate, Mrs,, on Orange Persians, 195 

Neck of Cat, 96 ; Neck Bones, 352 

Neuter Cats, 47, 237 ; in America, 331 ; Miss H. 

Cochran on, 239; Fanciers, 240; Persian, 47, 

127; Points, 238, 242; Ring Class at Richmond 

Show, 68 ; Short-haired, 241 ; Showing, 

8} ; Training. 340 

New York : Cat Fancy, 35, 306 ; First Show, 303 

Nield, Mrs., on Silver Persians, 155 

Nine, Number, 19 

Normal Temperature of Cat, 356 

Norris, Mr. F. on Cream , 

Persians, 203 

Northern Counties Cat Club, The, 26, 29 ; 

Show, 93 

Norton, Mrs. L., Cats' Refuge, 34 

Nunneries, Cats in, 10 

Nursery Rhymes, 14 

Kitten 

Ocelot, The, 297, 302, 322 ; Colour, 321 

Ohio, Cat Fancy, 314 

Old Deer Park, Richmond, 67 

Old Fort Cattery, 305 

Old and New London, 13 

Ophthalmia, 371 ; External, 372 

Opiates, 359, 360 

Orange and Cream Cat Club, 199 

Orange, Cream, Fawn, and Tortoiseshell Society, 

26, 30, 1 88 

Orange Persians, 187 ; Colour Breeding, 196, 348 ; 

Fanciers, 191 ; Mrs. D'Arcy Hildyard on, 198 ; 

Markings, 187, 193 ; Mating, 190, 193, 196, 

198 ; Mrs. Neate on, 195 ; Points, 188 Mrs. 

; 

Vidal on, 192 

Orange-and-White Persians, 233 

Orange Tabby Short-hairs, 291 ; Mating, 294 

Origin of Cat, i 

Ottolengui, Dr., 305 

" Our Cats," Serial, 17 ; on Classification of Short- 

hairs, 285 ; First Number, 31 ; on Manx Cats. 247 

"Our Cats," Work by H. Weir, 16 

Outdoor Exercise for Kittens, 339 

Owena Cattery, 313 

Pacific Cat Club, 27 

Pads on Cat's Foot, 353 

Painless Destruction of Cats, 376 

Pampas Cats, 323 

Parasites, External, 376 ; Internal, 361 

Parasitic Canker, 370 

Pasht, 3 

Patent Foods for Cats, 37, 45, 131, 339 

Paw of Cat, 97 

Pedigree Cats, 27 ; Mating of, 152, 175, 340 

Peluse, 5 

Pennant, on Wild Ca's, 7 

Pens, Sleeping : in Cattery, 51 ; in Shows, 65 

Persian Cats, 98 ; in America, 325 ; Breeding of 

Kittens, 340 ; at Cat Club Shows, 95 ; Coats, 

37 99. 34; Colour of Eyes, 112; Ear-tufts, 

96 154, 172, 178 ; Imported, 113 ; In-breeding, 

99 ; Photographing, 333 ; Rearing Kittens, 

337 ; Sensitiveness to Damp, 340 ; Showing, 

62, 76, loo ; Tail, 97 ; Toe-tufts, 97 

Pets, Neuters as, 48 

Pettit, Mrs., on White Persians, 122 

Philadelphia Cats' Home, 34 

Phisalix, Dr., 368 

Phthisis, 363 

Pierce, Mrs. E. R., on Maine Cats, 325 

Pioneer Cattery, Toronto, 315 

Pittsburg Cattery, 304 

Plasmon Powder, 135 

Pleurisy, 363 

Plica Semilunaris in Cat's Eye, 357 

Plutarch, 4 

Pneumonia, 45, 363 

Points of Cat, 97, 333 ; in Selecting Stud Cats, 341 

Popular Superstitions, 13 

Portable Hutch, 56 

Portier, Mme., 68 

Pottsdown Cattery, 307 

Prizes at Shows, 28, 79, 85 ; Special, 76 

Pulse of Cat, 356 

Puma, The, 350 

Purulent Ophthalmia of the New-born, 372 

Her Most Gracious Majesty the, 32, 240 

aueen, ueens, 38 ; Feeding, 42 ; Handling, 39 ; in 

Season, 38 ; Selection of Stud Cat, 340 ; Visiting* 

39, 9i 

Quinine Sulphate, 363 

Rail, Cats Travelling by, 66 

Raphael of Cats, The, 15 

Raw Meat for Kittens, 338 

Red-spotted Cat of India, 350 

Red Tabby Cats, 194, 288 

Red Tortoiseshell Persians, 208 

Registration : Cat Club, 29 ; National Cat Club, 

27, 62 ; at Shows, 78 

Repplier, Miss A., 24 

Ribs of Cat, 352 

Rice, 37, 339 

Rice-water, 339 

Richelieu, Cardinal, 10 

Ridgefield Cattery, 306 

Ring. Judging in, 70; Ring Class National Cat 

Club Shows, 83 

Ringworm, 374 

Robinson, Mrs. C., on Siamese Cats, 259 

Romans and Cats, 6 

Ronner, Mme. H., 16 

Roper, Dr., on Black Persians, 115 

Russia, 279 

Russian Cats, 279 

Sable Cat, 347 

St. John, Festival of, 8 

Salubrene, 55 

Salvo, 31 Worm ; Powders, 38 

Sancho, an Old Friend, 36 

Sandy Show, 92 

Sanskrit Writings, i 

Santonin, 361 

Saratoga Cattery, 305 

Sarcoptic Mange, 374 

Scott, Sir W., IT 

Scottish Cat Cluh, 27 .29 Annual ; Show, 94 

Sectorial Tooth, 352 

Selection in Breeding, 152, 340 

Self Blues, 125, 137 

Self Silvers, 137, 161 

Serval, The, 351 

Sessa, M., 13 

Shaded Silvers, 137, 161 

Shakespeare, W., n 

Shelley, P. B., n 

Short-haired Cat Club, The, 26 

Short-haired Cat Society, The, 275 

Short-haired Cats, 17, 98, 274 ; in America, 286, 

321 ; Black, 289 ; Blue, 288 ; Blue, in America, 

321 Mrs. ; Bonny on, 285 ; Broken Colours, 

282 ; Brown Tabby, 288, 294 ; Clubs for, 30 ; 

Coat, 282 ; Fanciers, 274, 285, 293 ; Judging, 

295 ; Mr. Jung on, 286 ; Mr. T. B. Mason on, 

290 ; Markings, 283 ; Mating, 284, 291 ; Neuters, 

241 ; Points, 282 ; Red Tabby, 288 ; 

Russian Blues, 291 ; Showing, 62 Silver 

; 

Tabby, 287 ; Spotted Tabby, 284 ; Tabby, 

291, 294; Tortoiseshell, 284, 295; H. Weir 

on, 285 ; White, 289

3*0 

Shoulder and Fore-arm of Cat, 96 

in America. 324 

Showing, 97, 116, 129 ; 

Shows, 25, 67, 85 ; Abyssinian Cats at, 301 ; m 

" 

America, 304, 319, 327 ; A.O.C." Class, 233 ; 

Bedding at, 80 ; Best Time lor Persians, 76 ; 

Black and White Persian Classes, 112; 

California, 316 ; Chinchilla Class, 137 ; Classi- 

fication, 64, 78, 169, 188 ; Cleveland, U.S., 314 ; 

Connecticut, 308; Crystal Palace (1871), 17 I 

Danger of Distemper, 304 ; Despatch of Prizes, 

85 ; Disqualifications, 6b ; Entries and Fees, 

64, 65 ;" Faking " for, 66 ; Feeding at, 66, 81 ; 

Financial Aspect of, 86, 90 ; Foreign Cats, 301 ; 

Illness at, 81 ; Judging Books, 82 ; Kittens, 

Litier Classes, 65 ; Local, 02 ; Management, 

75 ; Mixed, 75 ; Naming of Cats, 63 ; National 

Cat Club, 27, 94 ; Neuters. 237 ; New York, 

304 ; Ohio, 314 ; Open Judging. 84 ; Pedigree 

Particulars, 63 ; Penning, 8p ; Persians, 100 ; 

Prize Tickets, 80 ; Registration, 78 ; Sales, 84; 

Selling Classes, 82; Shaded Silver Class, i6e ; 

Short-haired Cats, 274, 285, 250; SilverPersians, 

Various, 28 ; Veterinary Surgeon at, 81 

Siam, 257 ; Chocolate Cat of, 256 ; Common Cat 

of, 264 ; Royal Cat of, 254 

Siamese Cat Club, The, 26, 30. 255, 259 

Siamese Cats, 254, 271 ; in America, 271 ; Miss 

Armitage on, 260 ; Breeding, 172 ; Lady 

Marcus Beresford on, 261 ; Mrs. Parker 

Brough on, 263 ; Chocolate Colour, 256 ; Miss 

Cochran on, 265 ; Mrs. Carew Cox on, -.66 ; 

Delicacy, 254 ; Eyes, 272 ; Fanciers, 256, 258 

Feeding, 264 ; Fighting Propensities, 272 ; 

Freaks, 272 ; Mrs. Hawkins on, 262 ; Judging, 

265 ; Kittens, 257. 268 ; Legends, 257, 

260 ; Markings, 257 ; Mating, 256, 258, 262 ; 

Origin of Title " Royal," 259 ; Points, 255, 

259, 265 ; Recognised Varieties, 266 ; Mrs. 

C. Robinson on, 259 ; Mrs. Spencer on, 261 ; 

Superstitions, 268 ; Throat Complaints, 269 ; 

Voice, 254, 272 ; Miss Forestier-Walker on, 

257, 267 

Signboards, Cat on, 13 

" Silver Lambkin " 

Challenge Trophy, 151 

Silver Persians, 137, 161 ; Coats, 140 ; Fanciers, 

143 ; Kittens. 139, 158 ; Markings, 138 Mrs. 

; 

Martin on, 160 ; Mating, 143 ; Mrs. Nield on, 

155 ; Points. 137, 141 ; Queens, 157 ; Specialist 

Club, 30; Mrs. Wellbye on, 160 

Silver and Smoke Persian Cat Society, 26, 30, 143, 

151 

Silver Society, 141, 151 ; Smokes Denned by, 182 

Silver Tabby Persians, 165; Colour, 170; Miss 

Cope on, 163 ; Fanciers, 168 ; Mr. House on, 

175; In-breedine, 348; Miss Leake on, 170 ; 

Mating, 172, 175 ; Points, 162, 166, 170, 174 ; 

H. Weir on, 165 

Silver Tabby Short-haired Cats, 287, . 291 ; 

Fanciers, 288 

Sinkins, Mrs., on Smoke Persians, 187 

Sires, Choice of, 38 

Skeleton of Cat, 3 i ; Diagram, 355 

" Skellingthorpe Patrick," 345 

Skin, Diseases of the, 373 

Skull of Cat, 06, 351, 353 

Sleeping Boxes, 52 

Smoke Persians, 178; in America, 184; Colour 

Breeding. 346; Eys, 180, 183, 346 ; Fanciers, 

" 

180 ; Field and Fancy" on, 185 ; Mrs. H. V. 

James on, 180 ; Kittens, 346 ; Markings. 346 ; 

Mating, 179, 182, 184, 346 ; Points, 178, 180, 

T**2 Mrs. Sinkins ; on, 184 Mrs. Stead ; on, 185 

Snow Leopard, The, 351 


Soda-water, 258 

Somatose, 135 

Soul of Animals, 36 

South American Dwarf Cats, 300 

Southdown Cats, 186 

Specialist Clubs, 30 ; and Midland Counties Cat 

Club, 94 ; and Shows, 76 

Specialists, Veterinary, 31 

Spencer, Mr?., on Siamese Cats, 261 

Speos, 3 

Splaying, 4 ', 237 

Sporting Instinct, 22 

Spratt's Biscuits, 37 

Staphyloma, 373 

Statuary, 13 

Stead, Mrs.", on Smoke Persians, 185 

Sternum of Cat, 353 

Stewart, Mrs. Mackenzie, 104 

Stomach of Cat, 351 

Stray Cats, Homes for, 32 

Structure of Cat, 350, 351 

Stud Cats, 47, 109 in America, ; 30, 305 ; Blue 

Persian-*, 125, 130 ; Chinchillas, 148 ; Fees 

; (or, 47, 91 ; Food, 47 Mating, 47 ; Orange 

Persians, 191, 193; at Shows, 84; Siamese, 

258, 265 ; Silver Persians, 144, 168 ; Tortoiseshell, 

284 White ; Persians, 1.2 

Sulphate of Iron, 196 

Sun, Need of, for Health, 49, 342 

Superficial Flexor Tendons, 352 

Superficial Muscles of Cat, 354 

Superstitions, 144 

Surface of Cat's Tongu;, 357 

Swinburne, n 

Syringing Nasal Passages, 362 

Harrison Weir on, 216 

Tabby Cat, i, 215 ; 

Tabby Fenians,' 165 ; Colour Breeding, 3+7 

Tabby Short-haired Cats. 291 Colour ; Breeding, 

. 34 ) ; Mating, 294 

Tabby-and-White Persians, 233 

Tail or Brush. 97 ; in Eastern Cats, 245 ; Siamese 

Cats, 254, 257, 264, 266; Silver Persians, 172, 

774 Smoke ; Persians, 178 Terminal Bones 

; 

in, 352 

Tailless Cats, 245 

Tapeworm, 361 

Tarsal Bones of Cat, 354 

Taxation of Cats, 19 

Techau, 5 , 

Teeth of Cat, 350 ; as Guide to Age, 99 of 

; 

Kittens, 352 

Terminal Bones of Cat's Foot, 353 

Thebes, 3 ; Paintings, 5 

Thomas, Mrs. G., 330 

Tiger, The, 350, 351 

Tiger Cat, an . 

Toe tufts, 97 ; in Blue Persians, 126 ; in Chinchillas, 

154 ; in White Persians, ti8 

Toes of Cat, 350 

Tongue of Cat, 351, 355 ; Dlagra 7';.357 

Tortoiseshell Persians, 208, 211 Miss M. Beal ; 

on, 

210; Colour Breeding, 3(5, 3-P! Mating, 

209, 211 ; Points, 209, 210; Scarcity of 

Males, 209 

Tortoiseshell Short-haired Cats, 287; Fanciers, 

287 ; Markings, 295 ; Mating, 295 

Tortoiseshell-and- White Tertians, 212 ; Mating, 

Tortoiseshell-and-White Short-haired Cats, 293 

"Touch not the cat, but the glove," 13 

Travelling Baskets, 38, 58, 65 

Trichiasis, 371 

Trick Training, 24 

True Canker, 369 

" Twenty Lookes over all the Roundh ads of the 

World, ' 

8 

U 

Undigested Food, 46, 360 

Unreasonable Buyers, 89 

Urine, Incontinence of, 361 

Vegetables as Food, 37 

Ventilation, 52, 338 

Vertebra: of Cat, 352 

Veterinary Surgeon at Shows 80 

Victoria, H.R.H., Princess of Schleswig-Holstein, 

27, 105, 119, ist 

1 Vida Mrs. G. , 

H., on Orange Persians, 192 

Vomiting, 35 i 

W 

Wain, Louis, 16 ; on Eyes, 167 ; on Neuters, 242 

Walker, Mrs. G. H.. 

159 

Artificial Foster-mother, 42, 340; 

Ward, Mr., 31 ; 

Lethal Box, 56 

Washing Cats, 37, 124 

Water, 37 

Watertowl, 5 

Wean ng Kittens, 159 

Weir, Harrison, i > ; on Angoras, ^8 ; on Black 

' 

'ats, 114; on Blue Persians, 128; on Cat 

Proverbs, i=; ; on Curious Markings, 233 ; 

"Our Cats," by, 16 ; President N.t.C., 26; 

on Russian Cats. 275 ; on Short-hairs, 284, 

285 ; on Siamese Cats, 272 ; on Silver Tabbies. 

165 ; on "Tabby Cat," 2 6 ; on Tortoiseshellaud-White 

Per-ians, 213 

Wellbye, Mrs., on Silver Persians, 160 

Westlake, Mrs., on White Persians, 123 

Whately, Archb shop, 18 

While Persians, 118 in ; America, 304 ; Breeding, 

344 ; Cleaning Coat, 124 ; Deafness 123; 

Fanciers, 119 ; Miss M. Hunt on, 121 ; 

Kittens, 121 ; Mrs. C. Locke on, 123 ; Mrs. 

Westlake on, 123 

White and Black Persians, 233 

White Short-haired Cats 289 

Whitney, Miss, on Brown Tabbies, 224 

Whiskers, of Cat, 97 ; o< Silver Tabbies, 172, 174 

in America, 322; Anatomy of, 

WildCats, 7, 13; 

ico ; European, 297 

Window, Miss H., 34 

Wire Netting, 108 

Witchcraft, 8, 19 

Worcester, Mass., Cattery, 306 

Wordsworth, W.. M 

Worms, 38 ; Gastritis caused by, 358 ; m Kit'ens, 

44; Medicines, 361; In Siamese Cats, 268; 

Treatment, 361 ; Vomiting caused by, 358 

Yellow Ringworm, 375 

u Zaida," 102, 144 

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